United Stars Talent Show was a youth-led event at Immokalee High School in Florida that showcased the talents of students with and without intellectual disabilities. The event served as an inclusive end-of-year celebration and was attended by over 80 staff and students. It took place in the school gymnasium after scheduling changes, which allowed even more students to attend.
Youth Leaders Marianna and Mileyda Lopez were inspired to create a fun, unifying event that raised awareness about inclusion among their classmates. They were supported by their mentor, Ms. Doyle, and motivated by the desire to highlight the abilities of all students. The project was also influenced by their passion for music and creativity.
The students organized and hosted a schoolwide talent show with inclusive planning, performances, and decoration. Acts included singing, dancing, and skits, with contributions from both students with and without disabilities. A red carpet, banners, and lights gave the show a professional and celebratory atmosphere.
The project engaged 24 Special Olympics athletes and 52 peers without ID, introduced 2 new youth leaders, and helped expand programming in one Unified Champion School. The show received overwhelmingly positive feedback and sparked interest in making it an annual tradition. Despite minimal social media engagement, the live event left a lasting impression.
Marianna was especially proud of singing onstage and seeing the audience cheer for every act. She learned to set goals, follow through with planning, and adjust when challenges arose—such as changing the venue and working independently after her co-leader stepped back. She looks forward to continuing inclusion through Unified Sports and sharing photos from the show to inspire others.