West Seattle High School is a youth-led project based in Washington that aims to spread meaningful inclusion by engaging elementary and middle school students through outreach and presentations. The initiative is ongoing, with activities still being developed and implemented by four high school juniors involved in Unified Sports and leadership. Their vision is to create a community culture that embraces students of all abilities across multiple school levels.
The project was inspired by the leaders’ personal involvement in Unified Sports and their desire to extend inclusive practices beyond their own school. They were also motivated by support from mentors like Eliana, Morgan, Emily, and their club advisor, Ms. Rachel, who consistently encouraged their efforts. Their shared passion for creating lasting social change served as the foundation for their work.
The team planned outreach efforts to feeder schools in their district to introduce the concept of inclusion and raise awareness of Special Olympics programs. Their approach includes hosting presentations, building relationships with younger students, and fostering early engagement in Unified values. While the project is still in progress, the group has already begun establishing momentum within their school network.
The project engaged 4 core youth leaders, 2 Special Olympics athletes, and over 100 students without intellectual disabilities. Programming was expanded in 3 Unified Schools, helping lay the groundwork for sustained inclusion practices. Although social media was not utilized, the group’s face-to-face outreach has begun to build a local community of support.
The youth leaders are most proud of the inclusive environment they’re building and the potential for long-term change. They’ve grown in accountability, communication, and time management, especially as they worked to coordinate busy schedules. Their commitment to continuing the project into the following school year reflects their dedication to inclusion in all areas of their lives.