Hartford High receives recognition for inclusion efforts

Members of the Hartford High School Unified basketball team and club, from left, Hope Dufty (10), Courtney Brock (30), Joshua Marandos (14), Kimberly Cushman (32), Aaron Berry and Gabe Moran participate in a halftime dance party at center court during a Unified basketball game at Hartford High School in White River Junction, Vt., on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. During the game, Hartford was given national banner recognition as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School for excelling in inclusion, advocacy and respect. (Valley News - Alex Driehaus)

Maggie Lane, right, a 2024 Hartford High School graduate, gives a sign to Jade Kaler, of Canaan, N.H., a member of the Unified Club, during a Unified basketball game at Hartford High School in White River Junction, Vt., on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Lane was active in the Unified Club when she was a student, and was instrumental in helping the school earn its national banner recognition as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School. (Valley News - Alex Driehaus)

Hartford's Asa Henry (31) passes the ball to teammate Owen Rand (22) during a Unified basketball game against Rutland High School at Hartford High School in White River Junction, Vt., on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Rutland won, 42-39. (Valley News - Alex Driehaus)

Hartford's Martha Crapser (1) and Joshua Marandos (14) celebrate a basket by Marandos during a Unified basketball game against Rutland High School at Hartford High School in White River Junction, Vt., on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Valley News - Alex Driehaus)

Published: 04-09-2025 4:01 PM

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Rutland High may have bested Hartford on the court in a Unified basketball game on Tuesday, 42-39, but Hartford earned another prize.

The high school received a national banner recognizing it as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School for excelling in inclusion, advocacy and respect.

Unified programs bring together students with and without intellectual disabilities, according to a news release from Special Olympics Vermont. Schools earn the National Banner designation when they meet 10 standards of excellence, such as offering inclusive sports programs, engaging in advocacy and awareness campaigns, and creating an overall climate of inclusion and acceptance.

The Vermont Principals Association’s Interscholastic Unified basketball season brings together Unified basketball teams from 20 schools across Vermont.