RV Launches Integrated Sports with Inaugural Basketball Game

Mount Holly, N.J. –Rancocas Valley Regional High School (RVRHS) began the new year with a new student-driven initiative underway. Heading into holiday break, students joined peers in the district’s Special Education programs, including the self-contained Functional Life Skills Integrated Program (FLIP), to form teams for a friendly basketball game. Students also integrated to expand the district’s cheerleading squad for the game. The launch of RVRHS’ integrated sports grew from the ambitions of two juniors – Reilly Kern and Joanna (Jo Jo) Marlin – and took off with support from the full school community.

As an aspiring special education teacher, Marlin was motivated to bring an integrated sports program to RVRHS after seeing a nearby district’s program in action. She initially enlisted the help of her friend, Kern, and the Special Education Department to begin planning.

The recent basketball game filled not only Marlin and Kern, but all involved, with additional energy and motivation to keep growing the program. In 2024, they hope to add more competitions in different sports and even play surrounding districts.

“Students in the FLIP program love to play sports and to get to do it with the energy of the school behind them really took it to another level for them,” said Kelly Scapellato, director of Special Services.

Colleen Gaspari, supervisor of Special Education, played a significant role in organizing the first integrated basketball game. She said as families both filled the stands and watched on livestream, she realized this may have been the first time they saw their child involved in an organized sporting event. The students involved did not shy away from the attention, taking center court after running through a line of peers giving high fives.

Both Gaspari and Marlin noted the opportunity for different peer groups to meet and interact is a secondary benefit of the launch of integrated sports. “I’ve met new people, and now we recognize one another in the halls, wave and say ‘hi,” Marlin noted.

Gaspari worked closely with Athletic Director Mike Lamb and Principal Joe Martin to submit a funding proposal to the Rancocas Valley Education Foundation to aid the launch of integrated sports and provide a foundation for its growth. Trustee Rosanne Tullio-Kwiatkowski said funding the proposal was within the parameters of how the Foundation aims to give back to support students. “This is what I love, to see students supporting other students and making this school community even stronger,” she said.

Part of the Foundation’s $1,500 donation funded T-shirts for practice and the initial game as well as trophies for competitors. Kern’s aunt, Emily Zemba, owns Parlay Creative LLC and generously donated game jerseys that are currently in production.

“Our students have started something special to build on in 2024 and for years to come,” said RVRHS Superintendent Christopher Heilig, Ed.D. “They are embracing our RV PRIDE to build connections and understanding across our district.”