The second annual Project Unify Track Meet at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces was once again a major success! Students from Mayfield High School, Onate High School, Centennial High School, Zia Middle School, Mesa Middle School, and Vista Middle School were in attendance, with each school bringing between 30 and 80 participants with and without intellectual disabilities.   

Project Unify is an education-based initiative that aims to incorporate Special Olympics Unified Sports programs into schools in order to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for people with intellectual disabilities.

"This is our second year hosting the Project Unify Track Meet and it went really well," said Morgan Harding, host of the event at Mayfield HS. "Since last year, we have at least doubled our numbers and overall awareness has greatly increased. You can really see the students feeling more included after each Project Unify event we have."

Parents, Las Cruces Public Schools administrative staff, and classes from all the schools were in attendance to watch the six schools compete.

"My favorite part of Project Unify was making friends," said a non-disabled Partner from Onate HS. "It's not about winning, it's about creating equality and having fun."

To view more photos from the track meet, click HERE.