Mahopac board honors Unified Sports program, coaches and student athletes

The Mahopac Central School District Board of Education on Oct. 14 recognized the district's Unified Sports program and heard coaches, staff and students describe its benefits for inclusion and student morale.

Board meeting leaders invited Unified Sports participants to the podium to mark the season's successes and a recent trip that allowed athletes to visit a professional stadium. "We added Unified Bowling, and now we've added a fall sport, unified flag football," a staff member said, thanking the board, administration and community for support.

Brian Harding, who identified himself as a teacher and coach, said the program has been "the best thing I have ever been a part of." "It has been a joy," Harding added, describing the energy at practices and games and thanking the community for its support.

Student board member Matt Canelos said programs that bring students of all abilities together "give every student a place of belonging and a chance to shine," and credited caring staff with creating that environment. "If a student is struggling emotionally, they can't fully engage or succeed in the classroom," Canelos said, connecting inclusive athletics to broader student well-being.

The board also paused for photographs and to recognize volunteers and a list of students and community partners singled out in the meeting agenda. The board voiced its appreciation and congratulated coaches, volunteers and student athletes before moving on to routine business.