Special Olympics selects General McLane High School for national award
General McLane High School (GMHS) was the first school ever in northwest Pennsylvania to be recognized and selected by the Special Olympics as a National Banner Unified Champion School. The international headquarters awards this honor to only 110 elementary, middle and high schools throughout the country each year. GMHS was announced as a 2022 winner earlier this year.
“It is a prestigious distinction which celebrates the ‘best of the best’ inclusive school communities. Your commitment to meaningful inclusion, as well as implementation of quality Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools programming, empowers and uplifts students with and without disabilities,” said Mathew B. Aron, President & CEO of Special Olympics Pennsylvania, Inc.
GMHS has a Unified program that includes around 100 students that is growing in numbers and interest. There are only 20 schools in Pennsylvania that have been honored as National Banner Unified Champion Schools since 2016-17.
A Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion School demonstrates a commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence. These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community, according to
the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania.
“What an amazing honor and a tribute to how we’ve really focused on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students,” said Michael Cannata, director of pupil services. “Additionally, this a tribute to Mr. K and how much he loved this program.”
General McLane’s former athletic director, Robert Kennerknecht, who passed away in April after a courageous battle with cancer, was a champion and an advocate for the GMHS Unified program.
“He was a tremendous supporter of Interscholastic Unified Sports at your high school,” Aron said. “Please let his family know that he played a big role in General McLane earning this honor.”
GMHS plans to celebrate this news with a schoolwide assembly that is currently being planned by students and staff.