HCSD holds 2nd annual Unified Champion Schools Inclusion Game

 HARLAN (March 5) -- The Harlan Community School District’s second annual Special Olympics Iowa Unified Champion Schools Inclusion Game was a huge success last Friday night at the HCHS gymnasium.
 The event featured two basketball games. Harlan Community Middle School Special Olympics athletes and HCHS junior varsity players competed together in the first game, followed by Harlan Community High School Special Olympics athletes and HCHS varsity players in the second game, which saw the Red team win 39-35 over the White team.
 The basketball games were part of #RespectWeek Engagement in Iowa. More than 133,000 students across the state were exposed to #RespectWeek and inclusion-focused conversations.
 In addition to the basketball games, the HCHS pep band performed thoughout the night along with members of the cheerleader squad and the poms.
 Members of the Cyclone basketball teams participated as both players and coaches on the night while Mitch Osborn and Chad Swanson served as officials.
 Middle School Special Olympics participants were as follows: Katherine Schwery, Kendra Schofield, Jayvin Keys, Meagan Scott, Sam Scott and Anna Gross.
 High School Special Olympics participants included: Mark Kenkel, Matt Kenkel, Mike Kenkel, Drake Riley, Nik Spahn, Angelina Wells, Jonathan Ayers, Jason Hansen, Tristan Harvey, Cameron Hicks, Billy Joe Harvey and Tony Sparandeo.
 The event was organized by HCSD Special Olympics Delegation Manager June Schleimer as well as Mindy Shaffer, the HCHS Student Council, and many other volunteers.