Durant’s Best Buddies program promotes the unity of the larger student body with the ESE program participants together as one team.

Player Further Nuomena explains, “Unified Sports and the Buddies Club continue to expand and spread the word of inclusivity and common kindness. Our message is that of acceptance and respect which everyone can benefit from even if you aren’t part of the club team.” The result is that this program helps exceptional students connect with their peers to form long lasting friendships.

On Nov. 12, Best Buddies hosted a Unified Flag Football scrimmage game after school. The class councils, D-crew and other interested students came to support the team by cheering them on. The flag football team also competes with other schools. Player #1 Andrew O’Toole said, “My favorite part about being on the team is giving people that are less fortunate than me the ability to experience things that they wouldn’t normally get to do.”

At the beginning of the game, the whole team was introduced and the players were all celebrated by the game attendees. Then the crowd was treated to a very intense game, as they roared with support and excitement. For the finale of the game, everyone on the sidelines created a tunnel of supporters and posters recognizing each player for the players to run through while getting praised for their accomplishment. What made this extra special was at the very end when everything was done, students had the opportunity to congratulate the team, hand out their posters and even get autographs from the members themselves.

This scrimmage game was not only a chance for the flag football team to show off their mad skills but to create a bond between them and their schoolmates.

“I chose to join the team to play a sport that’s less about pure competition but rather positivity, teamwork, and inclusivity, Nuomena said. “I also think our team is thriving. We’ve gained a lot of new teammates since last year who are doing great. I feel like we’re a tight knit bunch who all know each other very well and work great as a team.”

At Durant, we are all unified as one school, and that is what really leads us to success. We’re all in this together, Cougars. Great job to the Unified Flag Football team for representing our school so well. You guys did an amazing job out there supporting a great cause!