Where Inclusion Lives
Celebrating New Hampshire’s Granite State Unified Champion Banner Schools
On a winter evening in a packed high school gym, the cheers sound a little different. They’re louder somehow. Fuller. Not just for points scored, but for passes shared, teammates encouraged, and moments of belonging that ripple far beyond the final buzzer.
That’s what inclusion looks like in action—and it’s why Special Olympics New Hampshire created the Granite State Unified Champion Banner School Award.
Established in 2021, the Granite State Banner recognizes schools that are doing more than hosting Unified activities. It honors schools that have built an inclusive culture—one where students of all abilities learn, lead, compete, and belong together every day. These schools don’t just talk about inclusion; they live it in hallways, classrooms, clubs, and competitions.
In 2025, two schools stand out for the communities they’ve intentionally created and sustained: Merrimack Valley High School and Plymouth Regional High School.
Merrimack Valley High School: A First Banner, Built with Purpose
On January 7, Merrimack Valley High School celebrated a milestone years in the making. During a Unified Basketball game against Pembroke, the school was proudly recognized with its first-ever Granite State School of Excellence Award.
The moment was joyful—and deeply earned.
Over the past several years, Merrimack Valley has intentionally grown its Unified initiatives, expanding opportunities for students of all abilities to compete in Unified Sports, step into leadership roles, and connect meaningfully with peers. Practices are treated with the same care as any varsity program. Student leaders are empowered. Unified teams are visible, valued, and celebrated school-wide.
What makes Merrimack Valley’s story special isn’t just what they offer—it’s how thoughtfully they’ve built it. Inclusion didn’t happen overnight. It grew through consistency, collaboration, and a shared belief that every student belongs.
This first Granite State Banner marks not a finish line, but a powerful beginning.
Plymouth Regional High School: Inclusion, Sustained and Celebrated
For Plymouth Regional High School, raising the Unified Champion Schools State Banner is a familiar—and meaningful—tradition.
On December 22, Plymouth once again celebrated its Granite State Banner recognition, reflecting years of intentional leadership and a deeply rooted inclusive culture. This isn’t a program that comes and goes; it’s a way of life within the school community.
From Unified Sports and inclusive student leadership groups to high-energy events that engage the entire school, Plymouth continues to demonstrate what sustained inclusion looks like. Students of all abilities are not only included—they are empowered, visible, and central to the school’s identity.
As a repeat Banner School, Plymouth sets a powerful example: when inclusion is prioritized year after year, it becomes embedded in who a school is.
What the Granite State Banner Represents
Behind every banner is a commitment to excellence.
Granite State Unified Champion Banner Schools meet high standards across Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership, Whole-School Engagement, and sustainability. They offer multiple seasons of Unified Sports with trained coaches and regular competition, support inclusive student groups that meet consistently, and engage the broader school community through awareness and education. They also commit to sustaining this work through long-term planning and participation in Special Olympics New Hampshire events and fundraisers, including Winter Water Sports.
Schools must reapply every four years—because inclusion isn’t a one-time achievement. It’s an ongoing promise.
Leading the Way Forward
Merrimack Valley High School and Plymouth Regional High School remind us that inclusive school communities don’t happen by accident. They are built—day by day—by educators, students, and leaders who believe everyone deserves a place to belong.
Their banners tell a story of teamwork, respect, and opportunity. And across New Hampshire, that story is still being written—together.
