(Versailles, IN) – At the Champions Together Awards Luncheon held in Carmel on Friday, June 14, South Ripley Community Schools were featured prominently. The South Ripley High School Champions Together Program, under the direction of sponsor Brenda Strimple, was recognized for meeting all of the qualifications to earn a National Banner as a Unified Champions School.
First earning the National Banner in 2019, by meeting the qualifications again in 2023 South Ripley High School becomes the first and only school in the State of Indiana to earn the National Banner for a second time.
The South Ripley Junior High School Champions in the Middle Program was also recognized for being one of the founding members of the Champions in the Middle Program in the State of Indiana.
Due to South Ripley’s excellent participation in the Unified Champions Program, Superintendent Rob Moorhead was presented with the Champions Together Visionary Leadership Award during the awards ceremony.
In presenting the award to Superintendent Moorhead, Mike Hasch, the Senior Director of Unified Champions Schools, stated, “His visionary leadership has enabled the South Ripley Community School Corporation to establish itself as a leader in the inclusion revolution on the state level by sponsoring successful Champions Together programs at the high, middle, and elementary school levels for several years. South Ripley High School has become a national leader by becoming the first Indiana High School to earn the Unified Champions National Banner for a second time.”
In his acceptance remarks, Superintendent Moorhead credited sponsor Brenda Strimple, stating that the South Ripley Champions Together program would not exist without her tireless efforts. He also commended all of the administrators, staff, students and volunteers for their efforts in helping South Ripley to earn the National Banner for a second time.
“We are so blessed to have great people at South Ripley and there are none better than Brenda Strimple,” Moorhead commented. He went on to say about Mrs. Strimple, “You are the reason I stand on this stage today, and I truly appreciate all you do for South Ripley and our efforts as a Unified Champions School.”
The Champions Together Program is a partnership between the Indiana High School Athletic Association and Special Olympics Indiana. The program provides opportunities for students with and without disabilities to compete together in various activities representing their schools.
In concluding his remarks Moorhead stated, “I am extremely proud to be the Superintendent at South Ripley and proud that we are not just a state, but indeed a national leader in the Inclusion Revolution.”
(South Ripley Community School Corporation press release)
