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Bush Hill Elementary School celebrated two major national honors April 30, recognizing years of work to bring students with and without disabilities together through sports.

The school was named a Special Olympics National Unified Champion School for the second time and earned a place on the 2025 ESPN Honor Roll. Bush Hill was one of only three schools selected this year to host an unveiling ceremony for a new National Unified Champion Schools banner.

Students, staff and visiting leaders gathered on the school’s back field for the celebration, which featured a Unified Basketball demonstration and other field games.

“This banner represents our status as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School,” Principal Mary Duffy said. “It belongs to every single one of us.”

About 10% of Bush Hill’s approximately 700 students are enrolled in self-contained special education programs. The school has supported Special Olympics activities for years as part of its broader effort to maintain an inclusive environment.

Its Unified Basketball Team competes in a tournament each January. Students also participate in the Little Feet Meet, a track-and-field-style event pairing Special Olympics athletes with peer mentors.

Student peer mentor Sydney thanked coaches Lydia Peters, Mandy McGroddy and Michael Schmidt for supporting the unified teams. Student-athlete Eli joined in with a message of gratitude: “Thank you, coaches!”

ESPN senior writer Heather Dinich hosted the ceremony and described the school’s Honor Roll selection as a “huge deal.”

“It means people across the country are looking at Bush Hill and saying, ‘That is how you treat one another,’” Dinich told the crowd. “This isn’t just about sports; it’s about how you walk the hallways and share our classrooms every single day.”

Special Olympics International Chairman Dr. Timothy Shriver and Special Olympics Virginia President and CEO David Thomason also attended.

Unified Basketball teammates Avery, a peer mentor, and Tristan, a student-athlete, spoke about the friendships created through the program.

“Today is about more than just a trophy or a title; it’s about the friendships we’ve made and the way we make sure nobody gets left on the sidelines,” Avery said. “Whether we are in the classroom or on the field, we are better when we are together.”

Tristan responded directly to his teammate: “Thank you for being my friend. I love playing with my friends.”