.jpg "Jordyn Griffith and Aliza Smith check out the sites on their trip to Chicago.")
Unified Champion Schools invited East Hamilton School students, Aliza Smith and Jordan Griffith, to be the only two students from Tennessee to attend the Inclusive Youth Leadership Summit in Chicago last week. Unified Champion Schools promote those that welcome all people. Griffith and Smith were one unified team of 19 from over ten different states, and Nova Scotia, Canada, to attend the summit. East Hamilton High School was the only school from Tennessee with representatives invited to attend.
While in Chicago, Jordyn and Aliza were involved in L.E.A.D. (Listen, Empower, Adapt, Diversify,) activities that will continue to improve their leadership skills. The skills will help the two to be change agents to include all students in their schools. The two also constructed a project during the trip that would exemplify and support a Unified Generation. The girls were awarded $500 to help aid them in their project: I Do, You do, WE DO…MOVE TO INCLUDE! The project developed by the girls is a 5K walk to encourage long-lasting, meaningful, and productive relationships with those that have disabilities. The work of Aliza Smith and Jordan Griffith during the week is putting East Hamilton on the national map as a Unified School. They are inspiring Tennessee and Hamilton County Schools to continue to make way for a Unified Generation where respect and equality for individuals with disabilities are understood. They are working to create a new normal for the next generation.
Jordyn Griffith is a senior at East Hamilton. She is high achieving student involved in multiple school-related activities. Griffith is a Unified partner with the East Hamilton Special Olympians and has gone to almost every event in which East Hamilton students participate. She was a founding member and leader of the Unified Champion School program at the school.
Aliza Smith is a Junior at East Hamilton, and a Special Olympian who has participated in every sport offered at least once. Smith was a founding member and leader of the Unified Champion School program at East Hamilton.
Unified Champion schools focus on achieving personal and academic success and feeling emotionally and physically safe. According to Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools, the program is actively changing the narrative by promoting social inclusion for students with disabilities through planned and engaging activities. Unified Champion schools engage youth and teach them how to make a difference in their schools.
Photo: Left to right – Jordyn Griffith and Aliza Smith check out the sites on their trip to Chicago.