Unifying with Tennis

The Unified Tennis Team gets together every fall season and competes in tennis matches against other teams in the county and gives students that are suffering from special needs an opportunity to play a varsity level sport.

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Nadine Hendler

The Unified Tennis Team gets together every fall season and competes in tennis matches against other teams in the county and gives students that are suffering from special needs an opportunity to play a varsity level sport.

D.A. Regala, Guest Writer

The Unified Tennis Team is a fall season Unified sport which are played throughout Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS).

The unified tennis team is a great team with great goals and players say they enjoyed playing on the team with special needs players.  (FIRST AND LAST NAME) junior Liam Edwards also added “We all benefit from being a part of the team by learning great life skills and morals towards each other.” 

The impact that being a part of the team brings lasts long after their time at Severna Park and will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Edwards, a three year member of the team, said, “I love the social aspect of the team the most and the atmosphere that the team has with one another.” 

Although considered a varsity sport, the team is a fun bonding experience that gives the special needs students a chance to play a varsity level sport. 

Junior Tommy Atkinson said that he feels really good about being able to make an impact in the special needs students’ lives. He also said that he feels that the atmosphere on the team is very inclusive and unified. 

The overall vibe on the team is what really makes players come back year after year. It’s far too fun of an opportunity and too good of an experience to pass up. Players return year after year because of the positivity and joy that the Unified Tennis team brings them during the stressful school year.

Junior Presley Beaulieu said “I enjoyed being able to play some competitive matches against my friends with people that I had just met.” Beaulieu also added that it’s nice to know that we are able to let them compete in sports that are competitive and fun.

Most players on the team thoroughly enjoy the social aspect of the team as well as the free time to just hang out and laugh. Edwards said that it can even help build even bigger relationships outside of the practices and games. It allows him and his other friends that aren’t members of the team to play a new sport and enjoy a new activity. Although this team and organization is just a small part of the high school, it has a long lasting impact on the people in the area, and that is something that is priceless.