First in Indiana to earn the designation twice
(VERSAILLES, Ind.) -- South Ripley has earned a designation that only 40 other schools nationwide are receiving this year.
The school has been named a national banner recipient as a Unified Champion School.
South Ripley is the first high school in Indiana to earn the national banner status twice, as they've now received the designation in 2019 and 2023.
Unified Champion schools are those who promote inclusion, acceptance and meaningful engagement for students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. It often includes sports, such as unified bowling or unified basketball.
South Ripley had to meet 10 national standards of excellence to earn the national banner designation again.
Superintendent Rob Moorhead said the designation makes him proud, both as the superintendent and as a graduate.
"Those special education students are a huge part of our school and you see them at all of our activities and included in everything we do, because they should be. They are Raiders just like everyone else," Moorhead said.
"I am so proud that we are not only be a local or a state leader, but a national leader in the inclusion revolution. We want to provide activities that all students can be part of," he added.
The 812 spoke with senior Carson Fisk who is involved in Unified Champions, and says he either wants to find a similar program at college, or bring South Ripley's model to campus.
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