Community cheers for students of all types during Night of Unity

The home side of Cardinal Gym was packed Thursday for the second annual Night of Unity events showcasing students with disabilities and students without disabilities participating together.

On the other side of the gym was a giant Special Olympics banner proclaiming Webb City Junior High School as a National Unified Champion School.

The Unified Cardinals took over the floor during halftime and after the eighth-grade boys played a game against Neosho. There were performances by the Unified Dance Team and Unified Cheer Team, followed by a Unified Basketball Game.

“The night exceeded all expectations!” says Kristin Huff, a junior high special education teacher.

“We absolutely loved seeing the stands full of our wonderful community cheering on our kids. Our students could not have been more excited to hear their names being announced over the loudspeaker and treated just like their friends.”

Another reason Special Olympics is honoring Webb City Junior High with a national award is The Breakfast Club, which the Sentinel reported on in December.