The 7th annual Unidos Games took over Burges High School with a show of athletic prowess from El Paso ISD's diverse student body, proving once again that sports can be a unifier, especially for students with exceptionalities. Over two days, the air was filled with cheers and the palpable enthusiasm of over 500 elementary students, and the energy persisted as the baton was passed to middle and high school athletes competing on day two, according to El Paso ISD.
A spectrum of athletic events catered to fun and inclusion, where the aim wasn't just competition, but physical activity in a supportive environment. One could say that students weren't just running races; they were racing towards an inclusive future, full of camaraderie and confidence built through weeks of training. Crowds of families and community members added to the games' community spirit, a clear testament to El Paso ISD's efforts to underscore whole-child development and equal opportunity.
The Unidos Games, a concept birthed in 2018 with a humble 300 participants, has blossomed into a recurring highlight for the district, a point underscored by Veronica Reyes, El Paso ISD Assistant Superintendent of Specialized Learning Services, who told the El Paso ISD, "I think it’s important to learn to value all of our students, and it’s also important to cherish their abilities. We learn from them as much as they learn from us."
