Washington High School of Information Technology was recognized by Special Olympics at a Dec. 18 ceremony for its successful and inclusive Unified Sports program. 

A program of Special Olympics, Unified Sports brings together students with intellectual disabilities, called “athletes,” and students without disabilities, called “partners,” to practice and compete together on the same sports team. Washington’s Unified program, established in 2022, currently includes basketball and flag football teams. About 20 students participate each season.

“For me, it’s really no difference being with or without disabilities. We’re all equal.” - Stephen Felton-Jackson, Class of 2026

Washington was honored with a Special Olympics National Banner after meeting the 10 rigorous Unified Champion Schools standards of excellence (PDF) — including offering regular and robust Unified programming, facilitating youth leadership opportunities through inclusive student groups, and promoting disability inclusion through school-wide awareness campaigns. The school is now one of less than 800 National Banner schools, joining a select group of just 6 percent of the more than 10,000 schools with Unified Sports teams. Earning the banner “is a wonderful experience for not just me as the principal of this school but for this school,” said Washington Principal Alex Kuxhause. “This school has a legacy of historical greatness across sports.”

“It’s another great accolade to hang on that wall in our gym. We just feel really proud of everything.”

Washington’s Unified teams are coached by Heidi Cumbajin and Carlos Rattler, two long-time members of the Washington community. Cumbajin, a former athletic director for the Purgolders, is also a special education teacher at Lancaster School, and Rattler is the head coach for Washington's football, wrestling, and track & field teams.

For the past three years, Washington’s Unified basketball team has taken home the championship trophy at the Ralph Davis State Unified Basketball Tournament, establishing Washington’s reputation as one of the most competitive Unified programs in Wisconsin, Kuxhause said. Earlier this year, Unified athlete Xavier Goff and Unified partner Rionne Turner even got to announce a draft pick at the NFL Draft in Green Bay.

Strengthening student relationships

“It’s been cool to see the relationships that the special education students have with their peers,” said Lyndsay Linsmeier, Milwaukee Recreation’s adaptive athletics supervisor. “They truly feel a part of the community, a part of their school. And I think (Unified) has given them the empowerment to feel like they belong.”

Goff, a senior, plays Unified basketball and flag football, as well as other sports through Special Olympics. He was named the 2024 ​Special ​Olympics ​North ​America Athlete of the Year for his success as a top scorer on the flag football team. 

Goff said Unified has instilled in him good sportsmanship and a positive attitude. It’s also a great opportunity to play sports alongside his friends and cousins. 

“You’re playing with your peers. You’ve got people by your side that can help you out. That helps you build up good energy inside,” Goff said. “It’s just really fun for me to play for my team that I always wanted to play for. And I always have good opportunities to help other people, like my teammates.”

Stephen Felton-Jackson, a senior and Unified partner, has been teammates with Goff for two years.

“If you really get to know (your teammates) well, you will see that they're the same as you. Same personalities, same everything,” Felton-Jackson said. “For me, it’s really no difference being with or without disabilities. We’re all equal.”