As a testament to its commitment to create a welcoming environment for all, Tinley Park’s Andrew High School was honored Friday by Special Olympics of Illinois as one of a select few National Banner Unified Champion Schools.
The distinction was one Nowal Shalash sought almost immediately after becoming a special services teacher and Special Olympics coach at Andrew two years ago, when she realized the school was already in compliance with the 10 standards of excellence required.
“I was looking around, like, ‘why don’t we have this honor?’” said Shalash, a 2018 Andrew graduate.
Shalash said she was able to submit Andrew for national consideration after senior students Scott Oftedahl and Montrell Sippel joined the Special Olympics Unified Generation Committee, a group of Illinois students with and without disabilities who meet monthly to promote inclusion, unified activities and respect.
Not long after, Special Olympics notified Shalash the school would be honored, leading to Friday’s assembly where the whole school got to celebrate.
“Because I’m in special education, it touches a special place in my heart — I could, like, cry about it,” Shalash said. “Because the school is already so unified, having that honor and having that banner meant so much more to me.”
As students filed into the main gym, they were greeted by red and white Special Olympics signs with slogans such as, “Play unified” and “Every player is an impact player.”
The school’s Special Olympics athletes ran into the gym to triumphant band music and cheers from the rest of the student body.
What followed was a tournament style basketball contest among teams of two as well as speeches from Special Olympics Illinois President and CEO Peter Beale-DelVecchio and Kevin Daly, director of legislative policy and outreach for state Sen. Michael E. Hastings.
“This award really recognizes your school’s exceptional commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, everybody feels accepted,” Beale-DelVecchio said. “You are setting the gold standard for what inclusion looks like in education across the state.”
Fittingly, the school was given a gold banner, which students Oftedahl and Sippel unrolled to applause. Beale-DelVecchio also announced the two students will represent Special Olympics Illinois at Lobby Day in Washington, advocating for more funding for the organization and for people with intellectual disabilities.
Daly shared proclamations from Hastings to the two students for the upcoming ambassador work, saying “your unwavering dedication reflects great credit upon you, your family, our community and the state of Illinois.”
As part of being recognized as a National Banner Unified Champion School, Andrew is expected to continue meeting the 10 standards each year, according to Special Olympics. Schools reapply for banner status every four years.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
