Unified Sports Delegation From Enfield High School Visits Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, DC — Two students and a teacher from Enfield High School, along with a pair of family members, had an opportunity recently to educate lawmakers and staff members in the nation's capital about the faced by people with intellectual disabilities (ID), and how high-impact and cost-effective Special Olympics programming in sports, health and education can reduce discrimination.

As part of the 21st annual Special Olympics' "Capitol Hill Day," over 260 Special Olympics athletes, organization leaders, Unified Sports partners and family members from 49 states met with members of Congress from both the Senate and House of Representatives, inviting them to partner in support of inclusive education and health initiatives for people with ID.

Enfield High School was chosen to represent Connecticut this year. Special Olympics athlete Shaelyn O'Farrell, Unified Sports partner Lily Bellucci and teacher/coach Armando Ramos were joined by O'Farrell's mom, Sara Levinthal, and Bellucci's uncle, Harry Bellucci.

Bob Hale, Unified Sports liaison for the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC), said, "Our Unified Sports staff reviews our programs and tries to move the opportunity around to different schools each year. Enfield always has a thriving program, so we reached out to coach Ramos, who was excited about the opportunity. He identified the specific students to take part in the opportunity."

O'Farrell joined Special Olympics while in elementary school, and is currently a member of the Allied Stars Team in Enfield. Her sports include softball, bowling and basketball. In middle school and high school, she also got involved with Unified Sports and played soccer, basketball, track and cornhole.

Bellucci, a senior, has been a partner in the Unified Sports program for two years, participating in soccer, football, volleyball, cornhole, basketball and track and field. She was named the 2022 Enfield Unified Partner of The Year at the CIAC/Special Olympics Connecticut Michael’s Cup Unified Sports Award Banquet.

Ramos has been a physical education and health teacher in Enfield since 2000, becoming the high school's adaptive PE teacher and Unified Sports coach in 2012. The program was named a National Champion Banner School in 2017, recognized for organizing student-led leadership conferences, and won a statewide pandemic "October Miles Challenge" in 2021.

"For me, high school sports were what motivated me, where I had friends, and how I was connected to the school," Ramos said. "I feel that every kid should have the same opportunity. This is what I feel the Unified Program is all about. It's about creating a school that everyone can feel part of, where everyone feels accepted, where everyone can be themselves, and a place where you can be with your best friends."

The group arrived in Washington Feb. 13 for training and an overview of "Capitol Hill Day," meeting delegates from around the country. On Feb. 14, the group had five different meetings, including with Senator Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Jahana Hayes and staff members of several other elected officials. They asked for $40 million for Unified Sports/Special Olympics and another $25 million for health-based programs for Special Olympics, including screenings, services and preventative measures for those with special needs.

"We've been getting our athletes to become leaders," Ramos said. "I had a lot of qualified leaders and athletes to choose from, and we took two exceptional ones. Lily guided the program from our end. I was impressed by the way Lily and Shaelyn conducted themselves like professionals, and am incredibly proud of their exemplary job."

Following a Tuesday night closing ceremony, the group returned to Enfield last Wednesday.

"I really liked making new friends with the athletes from the other state delegations," O'Farrell said. "That was a lot of fun. I can't wait to see them again at future events. I am also really proud of myself for being able to speak to Congress about Special Olympics and Unified Sports. I wasn't even nervous and I think I did really well. Because of this, someday I hope to work for Special Olympics so I can help kids just like me."

Levinthal said, "It was so unexpected to hear my daughter Shaelyn had been chosen to participate in this amazing endeavor. Then, when she was told, seeing her own elation, personal pride and unbridled anticipation really made for a truly overwhelming mom moment. The trip to Washington on behalf of Special Olympics and Unified Sports programming was a phenomenal and likely a life-changing adventure. Who would have thought that a child who initially had a bleak projected outcome before ever being born would grow up to speak before congressional offices as a high school student. And, to be able to do this regardless of her special needs.

"The whole experience was filled with awesome confidence-building moments coupled with incredible opportunities to create connections and bonds with like-minded, talented, friendly and compassionate individuals. I have no doubt this will be one of Shaelyn's greatest life memories."