"Unified" Sports Teams Are Winning Combination in Ocean City

By MADDY VITALE The Ocean City High School gym was filled with athletes Wednesday, honing their basketball skills while gearing up for the unified basketball season. Unified sports allow students with and without intellectual disabilities the opportunity to play on the same team. This is the first year that Ocean City’s students have officially joined the other schools who participate in it, and the teachers say the athletes are ready. Twelve students from Ocean City High School’s special education program, including the work-based W.A.V.E.S. program, joined athletes from Mainland Regional, Egg Harbor Township and Cedar Creek high schools and the Cape May County Special Services District for some friendly competition in the unified sports program Wednesday. “Buddies” also helped out, which included varsity basketball players from the different schools, including the Red Raiders girls basketball team. OCHS W.A.V.E.S. student Osver Oropeza, of Ocean City, gets ready to take a shot. Jessica DeBiaso, an Ocean City High School (OCHS) special education teacher and coordinator of the W.A.V.E.S. program, said the students are pleased to be a part of the program. “We are very excited this is the kickoff to the unified basketball season," she said. "There is a great turnout, as you can see." DeBiaso brought up the idea of Ocean City students becoming a part of the unified sports program, and the district leaders agreed it would be a great idea. “The unified sports in total, is an excellent addition to our school. I think it has been a few years coming,” Ocean City High School Principal Dr. Wendy O’Neal said. “I am just so excited for us to be able to host an event and happy we got so many schools to participate. Our doors are always open. We welcome these types of events and activities. We are welcoming, and our students are welcoming.” OCHS W.A.V.E.S. student Mia Palmer, of Upper Township, practices with the team. In two weeks, the teams will play their first games of the season on Thursday, Jan. 25 at Mainland Regional High School. But before that, students are getting plenty of practice. On Wednesday, the athletes practiced dribbling and passing the ball and got some pointers from the “buddies.” DeBiaso's son, Rocco, a junior at Mainland and a varsity basketball and football player, was a "buddy" on Wednesday, and had some fun and taught some techniques to the other athletes. Mia Palmer, 19, is a “super senior” in DeBiaso’s class, a term for students in the W.A.V.E.S. program, which runs through the age of 22. She couldn’t wait to shoot some hoops, even if it was just practice. “Sure, I’m excited,” she said, moments before she took to the court and shot a couple of baskets. OCHS student Chris Fuentes takes aim at the basket. Osver Oropeza and Chris Fuentes, also DeBiaso’s students, took turns shooting basket after basket. They both continually made shots and would applaud each other's athletic ability with a high-five or a smile. Ron Ewing, a paraprofessional who works in DeBiaso’s class, remarked about the day as he watched the students enjoying themselves. “They just love it," Ewing said. "It really builds confidence." Special Education teacher Stephanie Daher-Quinn, who is in charge of the life skills program at OCHS, said she hopes that joining the program will help the students with socialization. "Our team is small, but moving forward. We will try to include all our classified kids in the building who might be interested in getting some physical activity and socialization," she said. "For my kids, it is all about socialization. For me, it is the importance of socializing and getting some movement and having them involved in something great.” Dr. Dave Jacobs, director of the Child Studies Team at Mainland Regional High School, said with Ocean City joining the unified sports program, "It brings community of all of the schools together." "When we first started, it was Mainland, Cedar Creek and EHT and Cape May Special Services. Now, it is getting so popular. We are reaching out to other schools," Jacobs said. "We are also seeing tremendous growth in the amount of general education students. It is fun. It is a good day for the kids.” OCHS girls basketball players and Mainland athletes are "buddies" to the unified athletes.