Lewisville High School to be Recognized as Special Olympics Unified Champion School through National Banner Presentation by Hasbro, Inc.

Lewisville High School to be Recognized as Special Olympics Unified Champion School through National Banner Presentation by Hasbro, Inc.

Special Olympics International (SOI) Global Ambassador and NFL Star Jamaal Charles to attend celebration of inclusivity, respect and acceptance for all students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : November 21, 2019

November 21, 2019, Lewisville, Texas-- Today Lewisville High School will be named a Special Olympics Unified Champion School through a special Banner Presentation sponsored by Hasbro, Inc. at Lewisville High School’s Leo C. Stuver Auditorium at 12:30 p.m.  The special event will be attended by NFL Star Jamaal Charles along with representatives from Special Olympics of Texas, Hasbro, Inc. and members of the Dallas Fort Worth Community.

The Special Olympics Texas Unified Champion Schools® program engages the entire school community to promote inclusion, respect, and acceptance for all students, with and without disabilities. Building on the values and principles of Special Olympics Texas, schools across the state are working to create environments that shape the next generation. Through a partnership with the Department of Education, Special Olympics Texas provides the tools and support necessary for each school to achieve success.

 “This is an exciting recognition for all of our students and staff, “Lewisville High School Principal Jeffrey Kajs said. “This is a testament to the dedication LHS shows for the entire student body. LHS is so diverse and yet our students function as one organization: Farmers!”

Lewisville High School is one of five Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools being recognized nationally by Global Play and Entertainment company, Hasbro, Inc. 

"Hasbro is proud to partner with Special Olympics on their Unified Champions Schools programs and to recognize Lewisville High School for creating a culture of inclusion, unity and acceptance,” said Kevin Colman, Director, Global Philanthropy and Social Impact, Hasbro, Inc.  “This work is core to Hasbro's purpose of making the world a better place for children and their families." 

Unified Champion Schools® use a unique approach that incorporate Special Olympics Unified Sports® (where students with and without disabilities train and compete as teammates), Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Whole School Engagement activities that empower youth to be agents of change in their communities. 

"Special Olympics Texas is proud of the Unified community Lewisville has built," said Alice Keller, Senior Director of Inclusive Education at Special Olympics Texas. "[Lewisville High School] engages all students as agents of change in the Inclusion Revolution!" 

Students with and without intellectual disabilities work together alongside educators and administrators to positively impact their school and community. As of October 2019, over 100 Texas schools have partnered with Special Olympics Texas to become Unified Champion Schools® and that number is expected to grow rapidly. 

Lewisville High School students participate in a Unified Fit Club that supports the three Unified Champion Schools program through elected officers that serve in a Co-Leadership capacity, Whole School Engagement through Unified Pep Rallies, and Spread the Word Inclusion events for the 2,165 students on its 11th-12th grade campus.  The Unified Fit Club also trains and competes in Area, Regional and State Special Olympics  Games in:

• Unified Bowling
• Unified Volleyball
• Unified Basketball
• Unified Track  and Field

About Lewisville ISD

“In Lewisville ISD, our promise to our students, staff, parents and the communities we serve is simple - All of our students enjoy thriving productive lives in a future they create. This phrase illustrates who we are as a district, and demonstrates LISD's fundamental organizational values.” For more information, visit www.lisd.net.

About Hasbro 

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World's Best Play and Entertainment Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, BABY ALIVE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and POWER RANGERS, as well as premier partner brands. Through its entertainment labels, Allspark Pictures and Allspark Animation, the Company is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for children and their families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked No. 13 on the 2019 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by CR Magazine, and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past eight years. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro) and Instagram (@Hasbro).
For more information on Unified Champion Schools and how to get your school started, contact Alice Keller (akeller@sotx.org) or Tammy Hortenstine (thortenstine@sotx.org)

About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect.  SOTX provides continuing opportunities for more than 58,800 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Lone Star State to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.  To learn more, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org or call 800.876.5646.  Engage with us on: Twitter @SOTexas; fb.com/SpecialOlympicsTX; youtube.com/specialolympicstexas.