I Scream, You Scream, We Scream: INCLUSION was a youth-led block party at Fayetteville High School in Arkansas that brought students and staff together for food, games, and celebration in support of inclusion. The event featured an ice cream truck, yard games like jumbo tic-tac-toe and cornhole, and activities such as bracelet making and affirmation writing. The goal was to create a safe, welcoming space where students with and without intellectual disabilities could interact and be seen for their abilities.
Sydney Green was inspired by her participation in Unified sports and her growing advocacy through Special Olympics Arkansas. She recognized that while her school was inclusive in many ways, there was still room to create more intentional moments of connection and visibility. With the support of the Unified Partners Club, she envisioned a joyful, community-wide event that everyone could rally around.
The Inclusion Block Party was held in the school gym due to unexpected weather, but still drew participation from across the school community. Sydney and her team distributed stickers, ran games, and highlighted the Unified Partners Club, all while promoting belonging and appreciation for individual strengths. The school’s cafeteria and janitorial staff, administration, and student body were all actively involved in making the event a success.
The project engaged 40 Special Olympics athletes and 80 students without ID, introduced 2 new youth leaders, and expanded programming in 1 Unified School. It also provided visibility to inclusion efforts through giveaways and decorations and strengthened partnerships between student groups and school staff. The project left a lasting impression and inspired hopes of making the event annual.
Sydney says she’s proudest of how the entire school came together to support and participate in the celebration. She learned how to speak up, lead boldly, and create events that reflect her values and the voices of her peers. Looking forward, she plans to continue participating in Unified events and advocate for inclusion in new ways beyond graduation.