Play Unified is a nationwide organization devoted to promoting a safe, inclusive environment for people of all abilities. At Chatham High School, Play Unified offers a wide range of activities and ways to get involved in this mission, including, club lunches and gatherings, sports, field trips, and much more. My favorite events to partake in are our “Teen Nights”, where students from Chatham High School and the ECLC of Chatham join together for a night of sports, music, dancing, drawing, and fun! Teen Nights are an incredible means of getting involved in Play Unified and building new friendships along the way. I’ve also participated in some of the many sports offered through the club, such as soccer, basketball, golf, bowling, and Track & Field. Joining our sports teams is a great way to encourage teamwork and socializing, as well as, teaching new athletic skills and giving you a chance to be active. This year’s Unified Soccer season was packed with fun and consisted of four practices and two games against other towns. Lastly, Play Unified offers a fantastic program called “Learn Unified” where ECLC students get to attend a Chatham High School class once each month and gain some fun, new experiences. This event is always followed by an all-inclusive lunch, where both Chatham and ECLC students can join each other in the AB gym and eat together. These are just some of the great many events and activities Play Unified at Chatham offers.
I’ve been a highly active member of the Play Unified Organization at Chatham High School for over a year and am now one of the many passionate leaders. I have personally begun several lasting friendships through my experience and have seen countless others form and grow through this organization. It’s heartwarming to see the joy and amusement brought to so many at each Play Unified gathering. One of the best aspects of this club is its constant upholding of inclusivity and positivity. Its members and very dedicated advisors, Mrs. Cavallo and Mrs. Schwartz, work exceptionally hard to make sure these values are sustained and that each event is carried out as best as possible. I look forward to the many memories I’ll gain through Play Unified in the future, and I highly recommend joining our mission to include people of all backgrounds and abilities.