NORTH SMITHFIELD – Students gathered for a special event at North Smithfield High School this week celebrating inclusion with a basketball game between Unified Northmen and the team from Burrillville High School.
The event, held in the morning on Monday, March 10, kicked off the school’s second annual Mental Health Awareness Week with a gathering for the entire student body. Unified Sports is a program that joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team for sport training and competition, with support through the Special Olympics.
“Unified Basketball promotes sportsmanship, teamwork, and inclusion among students,” explained Principal Amy Burns, noting she was pleased the school was able to host the matchup.
Before the game, two student members of Active Minds, sophomore Max Hawes and senior Claire Grant welcomed the audience and introduced Mental Health Awareness Week at the school. Active Minds is a student-run club focused on increasing mental health awareness and student connectivity to the school community.
The Monday morning game also included a DJ and appearance by the school mascot.
