“When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
This is brave, this is bruised
This is who I’m meant to be, this is me
Look out cause here I come
And I’m marching on to the beat I drum
I’m not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me”
This is me, from The Greatest Showman
Wednesday May 14, 2025, was the sporting event of spring school sports in Western Massachusetts. It was held in Holyoke, Massachusetts at Holyoke High School. It was the Western Mass Unified track and field Championships. Schools across Western Mass from Dalton to Palmer participated in this event to crown the Division 1 and 2 champions. Palmer High School was crowned division 2 champions and for the fourth year in a row Wahconah Regional High School (HRHS) was crowned the division 1 champions. It was an amazing and heart touching event. Students with and without disabilities doing their best and meeting personal goals while coached and parents cheered them on.
ESPN was not there to cover the event nor were there thousands of people there to cheer which is too bad because when I think of a sporting event where athletes overcome adversity it is Unified Sports. I have never been involved in anything like this. The kids never give up whether they come in first or just finish. The people cheer because they all understand the work it takes for many of these students to just finish and that is the true victory. Don’t get it wrong, many of these kids want to win and get that ribbon or medal because if it were not for Unified sports, they would never have that opportunity. The joy, the applause, and the hugs are worth being at this event.
My school district is represented by the Wahconah Regional High School Unified Track Team. There are 50 plus students on this team which makes it one of the largest teams at the school and in Western Mass. The team is made up of students from the high school and Nessacus Middle School. The team is led by head coach Jared Shannon with assistant coaches Rob Difazio, Kara Keegan, Meg Shannon, Stephen Mercier, and Eli King. We also have some amazing parents who are committed to this team as well. When we talk about being inclusive Central Berkshire Regional School District (CBRSD) leads the way in that category. Each year their unified teams grow. Giving students the opportunity to participate in varsity sports and the opportunity to grow as students and leaders. It is not just about competing for these coaches it is about letting these students know that they are part of something that they will always remember. That they had the opportunity to give their all and let people know that my disabilities are a part of me but don’t define me.
As Western Mass Division 1 champions the team got the lights and sirens tour around Dalton. The town came out to cheer and congratulate them. What a great moment for them, the coaches, and their parents. It was the last Western Mass meet for my son Anthony, but he will have a lifetime of memories and maybe one day he will return as the coach of the unified team.
ESPN does a show called 30 for 30 and it is a sports documentary show. If I could ask them to do a 30 for 30 it would be on the journey of WRHS and how they were able to create and grow their unified program. It all starts with leadership from the amazing coaches to their principal, Mr. Robb, as well as the teachers, parents, and students. I am honored to say I am part of the greatest sport story ever. These kids will have a lifetime of memories, and it will change their lives forever.
I dedicate this post to WRHS Unified sports teams, the leaders, teachers from the CBRSD, and most importantly the students. You represent what true athletes are. You exemplify the R.I.S.E values at WRHS:
– Resilience
– Integrity
– Self-Direction
– Empathy
You have made me so much better because I got to know you. On to the states May 28, 2025, in Natick.
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter and proud father of a unified sports member.
Dignity Freedom Fighter 