Tonganoxie High to host Unified Sports event Saturday

Tonganoxie High School, home of the Chieftains
Tonganoxie High School will shine as a beacon of inclusion and opportunity on Saturday as it hosts a multi-faceted Special Olympics Kansas Unified Champion Schools event featuring four programs: the Unified Soccer Tournament, Unified Esports Tournament, Young Athletes Festival and Cool School Plunge.
The event kicks off with opening ceremonies at 8:45 a.m. at Beatty Field. Blue, the mascot for Sporting KC, will be on hand for the opening ceremonies.
This all-day celebration is expected to bring together hundreds of students, educators, families, and community members from across eastern Kansas.
At the heart of the day’s events are the Unified Soccer and Unified Esports Tournaments, where students with and without intellectual disabilities will compete side-by-side as teammates. The Unified Soccer Tournament will start at 9 a.m. and the Unified Esports Tournament will start at 1:30 p.m.
The day also features the Young Athletes Fest, introducing children ages 2-7 to the world of inclusive play through engaging activities designed to build motor skills and social connection in a fun, supportive environment.
Rounding out the celebration is the Cool School Plunge on the east side of Chieftain Arena, where students and staff take a dip into chilly waters to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Kansas.