Young Champions
Young Champions is a partnership between Special Olympics Indiana and ICASE that facilitates participation in UCS programming by elementary and preschools throughout Indiana. Schools that have distinguished themselves through inclusive activities and by meeting or exceeding the four components recognized annually with a Unified Champion Schools® banner
Level: Pre-K through elementary
Unified Sports® Offered:
State Office Contact
Criteria For Success
Young Champion programs strive to excel In four areas: Inclusive youth leadership, whole school engagement, Unified Sports® and collaborative fundraising.
Inclusive Youth Leadership
All school-sponsored UCS activities should be planned, organized and administered by an “Inclusive Student Leadership Team” that strives to do things WITH students with intellectual disabilities, NOT FOR them.
Whole School Engagement
The school should participate in at least one activity designed around “Whole School Engagement” and/or a school-wide fundraiser for Special Olympics Indiana that promotes and encourages awareness, respect, and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities.
School Assemblies
Hosted by comedian Craig Tornquist, our high energy school assemblies are an uplifting and fun way to energize your school while learning about Champions Together and Unified Champion Schools. Best known for his love of audience participation, Craig has delighted more than 3,000 school assembly crowds across the country and is joined by Special Olympics Indiana staff and student ambassadors in providing an overview of our program.
To host an assembly at your school, contact Craig Tornquist at
[email protected] or (574) 360-0853.
Unified Sports ®
The school should organize and participate in at least one Unified Sports® activity, such as a Unified Track and Field meet, a Unified Fitness Club, Unified Robotics, a Unified Physical Education class, or a Unified competition.Collaborative Fundraising:
The school should fundraise a minimum of $250 for Special Olympics Indiana to assist in sustaining and expanding UCS activities such as the Young Champions program.2023-2024 Banner Schools
Akron Elementary School
Boone Meadow Elementary School – Zionsville
Busy Bees Academy
Center Grove Elementary School
Converse Elementary
Eagle Elementary School
Eastbrook North Elementary
Eastern Elementary School
Eden Elementary – Greenfield
Frances Slocum Elementary
Greenfield Intermediate School
Harris Elementary School
Homan Elementary School
James H. Watson Elementary School
J.B. Stephens Elementary
Justice Thurgood Marshall Intermediate
Manchester Elementary School
Manchester Intermediate School
Maple Grove Elementary School
Maxwell Intermediate School
Mentone Elementary School
Milroy Elementary School
Mishawaka Battell Elementary
Mishawaka Beiger Elementary School
Mishawaka Emmons Elementary
Mishawaka Hums Elementary School
Mishawaka Lasalle Elementary School
Mishawaka Liberty Elementary
Mishawaka Twin Branch Elementary School
Mitchell Elementary School
North Grove Elementary
OJ Neighbours Elementary School
Park Elementary
Pleasant Grove Elementary School
Pleasant View Elementary Zionsville
Protsman Elementary School
Stonegate Elementary School – Zionsville
Sugar Grove Elementary School
Swayzee Elementary
Sweetser Elementary
Trailside Elementary School – Zionsville
Union Elementary School – Zionsville
W.D. Richards Elementary
Walnut Grove Elementary School
Wayne Center Elementary
Weston Elementary
How to get involved at your school?
Teacher or administrator should contact Lisa Graham [email protected]. Parents/students should contact teacher/administrator at their child’s school first.
Make An Impact
Impact Overview
The influence that the Unified Champion Schools initiative has on students and school building.
See Impact OverviewTransitions Visual
How young individuals can participate in Special Olympics throughout all grade levels while also participating in local programs at the same time.
See Transitions VisualRoadmap
The UCS roadmap helps schools along their inclusion journey by providing helpful tips and resources.
See Roadmap