SSS Students Advocate For Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools To State School Board

RALEIGH – On December 4, Unified pair Lillian Mizner and Nathaniel Beliveau, students at Smithfield-Selma High School (SSS), delivered a powerful presentation to the North Carolina State Board of Education, sharing firsthand the impact that the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (UCS) program has had on their high school experience.

Speaking as representatives of Unified Champion Schools programming across North Carolina, Lillian and Nathaniel highlighted the meaningful partnership between North Carolina schools and Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC). Their remarks emphasized how UCS creates school environments where students with and without intellectual disabilities learn, lead, and succeed together.

During her remarks, Lillian Mizner shared how the program shapes an inclusive culture at Smithfield-Selma High. “I walk in and it’s a judgment-free zone — everyone is included,” she said.

Nathaniel Beliveau also spoke about the personal impact of the program and his hopes for its future. “Unified really meant a lot to me,” he shared. “I’m hoping one day in the future Unified could be helping out with others all around the state of North Carolina and make it a better place.”

The purpose of their address was to call on state leaders to continue supporting Unified Champion Schools initiatives statewide. Their presentation exemplified inclusive student leadership, one of the three foundational tenets of UCS, along with Unified sports and whole-school engagement.

Lillian and Nathaniel were joined by Keith Fishburne, CEO of Special Olympics North Carolina; Isabella Williams, Senior Director of Youth Initiatives for SONC; and Bethany Jones, Unified Spartan Club advisor at Smithfield-Selma High School.

Their appearance before the Board reflects the growing momentum of inclusive practices in North Carolina schools and the transformative opportunities made possible through Unified Champion Schools programming.