Although the members of Homestead’s student body are no strangers to supporting their school’s basketball teams, the inclusion of those with intellectual and physical disabilities has sparked the creation of a new Homestead team called the ‘Homestead Hoopers.’
Hayley Rapaport, junior, is the founder of Unified Basketball of Homestead, and she is also a member of The Special Olympics Wisconsin Youth Activation Committee, where she has found inspiration to spark new changes at Homestead. Many students, including Rapaport herself are a part of various sports teams that provide a strong sense of community and belonging.
“I recognized that having the opportunity to feel like part of something bigger is not one that everyone has,” Rapaport said.
Because of this realization, Rapaport thought of the idea to create a Unified Basketball team at Homestead after hearing about the success of other programs in Special Olympics.
“I started the Homestead Unified Basketball Team to include students with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Rapaport said.
Rapaport credits Head Coach Jessica Jost and Heidi Joynt as well as other volunteers for their time and commitment to making the team a success.
To Coach Jost, this team was a great opportunity to be a part of something bigger than herself.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity…[where] everybody can come together and feel like they’re a part of something,” Jost said.
Coach Jost is not the only one who feels this way. Senior and Co-President of Best Buddies Lilly Dyer shares Jost’s enthusiasm for the new team.
“Watching my brother Griffin, who has Down Syndrome, experience the joy of being on this team is incredibly special. His enthusiasm and love for this team are so inspiring, and I truly believe this group brings happiness and belonging to every single player and person involved,” Dyer said.
Dyer and Jost echo Rapaport’s message of the importance of creating a true sense of belonging for every student on the team in both their actions for the team and what it means to them to see the smiling faces.
“Inclusion and making meaningful impacts are at the heart of everything we do, and I think it’s already making a significant impact on our school community,” Dyer said.
Not only has this team created a sense of belonging for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but the school’s community has grown from inclusion.
“The energy in that gym is like none other when we are playing and when [everyone] is cheering. It is so loud and it is so fun, and I feel like the kids absolutely love it,” Jost said.
Rapaport plans to create a Unified Basketball club where all athletes and partners can meet monthly to practice and compete.
“I can only hope that our athletes feel half the excitement I feel before practicing and playing with them,” Rapaport said.
