PLANTSVILLE, Conn. — The Jockey Hollow Middle School Unified Sports Team was presented with The 2026 Spirit of Inclusion Award during a ceremony at the Aqua Turf Club on March 31. Jockey Hollow was the only middle school in the state of Connecticut to earn this award.
The Spirit of Inclusion Award, which was created in 2023, was presented to National Banner Unified Champion Jockey Hollow Middle School by Special Olympics of Connecticut and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference for demonstrating exemplary examples of inclusion. Jockey Hollow offers multiple seasons of Special Olympics Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement.
School Psychologist Jennifer Fisher, two Unified Sports Team student members, and Professional Educator Donald Casey Jr. accepted the awards on behalf of Jockey Hollow Middle School. Awards included a banner and crystal trophy.
First Selectman Terry Rooney visited the Unified Sports Team during a basketball practice and presented a proclamation declaring Tuesday, March 31, 2026, as “Jockey Hollow Middle School Unified Sports Team Day” for the town of Monroe.
Gov. Ned Lamont issued an official statement proclaiming Tuesday, March 24, 2026, to be “Jockey Hollow Middle School Unified Sports Team Day” in the state of Connecticut.
“We are so proud of every student athlete and partner who has been on our Unified Sports Team during the past three-and-a-half years,” Head Coach Donald Casey Jr. said. “These students are totally responsible for Jockey Hollow earning The Spirit of Inclusion Award. This is an excellent example of our team motto: Inclusion for everyone. We have created a family type atmosphere on our team. A team goal is to have every student ‘Be an amazing person. All day. Everyday.’ Go Lions!”
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