Center Moriches High School, a Unified Champion School, has earned national banner recognition from Special Olympics North America. This distinction marks the highest level of achievement for Unified Champion Schools in the country, recognizing excellence and leadership in creating inclusive school communities.

Center Moriches High School has held the title of Special Olympics Unified Champion School due to the school’s dedication in allowing students with and without disabilities to play on the same teams and take physical education courses together. Center Moriches currently has unified basketball, bowling, and TopGolf teams along with Unified Physical Education classes. Center Moriches has also been represented at New York Special Olympics’ Long Island Spring Games for 13 consecutive years.

“Students, coaches, and administrators in our Unified Champion Schools are the leaders of the Inclusion Revolution,” said Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “We are honored to recognize their truly incredible work to accept, include and celebrate all students.”


Center Moriches High School students learn inclusive leadership skills by leading a number of campaigns and activities that engage the entire school community to encourage and promote inclusion among their peers. These leadership opportunities are present in organizations including the Friends & Buddies Club, The School Store Club, and The Coffee Brew Crew. Student leaders also had the entire school involved through events such as the P.S. I Love You Day Unified Volleyball Tournament, Unified Field Day, Unified Community Pumpkin Run for Kids, Community Car Wash for Unified Sports, the Splish Splash Polar Plunge, and the Using Our Voices Run Series. 

Student leaders from Center Moriches High School have also had the opportunity to speak at the Special Olympics Unified Youth Summit and at Center Moriches School District Board of Education meetings. 

“Our Unified sports and programs have become a core part of the Center Moriches School District” said Center Moriches Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ricardo Soto. “We are honored to receive such an impressive distinction and will continue to bring people together through sports, leadership, and inclusive events.”


Center Moriches High School is one of only nine New York high schools to earn national banner recognition this year, bringing the state’s total to 45. Unified Champion Schools receive this distinction by demonstrating the highest commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence covering the primary activities of Special Olympics Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Whole-School Engagement. Additionally, Center Moriches had to demonstrate that their unified programs are self-sustainable and have a plan in place to continue these activities in the future.