Spring Branch ISD Featured News

“I always wanted to win a gold medal,” a Unified track athlete from Spring Branch ISD’s Spring Woods High School (SWHS) Life Skills program said. He got his wish when he won a medal at the UIL Area F Unified Track Meet this week. The SWHS team also came in first at the meet, qualifying them to advance to the regional meet in mid-April.

With the help of partners from other SWHS athletic teams, seven Life Skills athletes have been competing in the 100-meter dash, 4x100 relay, long jump and shot-put events this month.

Under the UIL umbrella, this is the first year for local, regional and state Unified track competitions. 

“Coach” Jennifer Collier, principal at SWHS, bursts with pride when describing how the Unified competitions she has organized for Life Skills students have changed the culture at the school.

“In the past, the Life Skills students went to school in a bubble, and didn’t have much interaction with the general education students,” Collier said. “Now we see them eating together at lunch and making friends with general ed students. Here, they are not different.”

As evidenced at a recent lunchtime presentation of the Area F championship trophy, SWHS students cheered for the accomplishments of their Unified Tigers team, and wished them well as they prepare to compete at the Regional meet at Prairie View A&M.

All of the partner athletes mentioned how helping the Life Skills athletes is very gratifying.

I like helping someone try their first sports,” Jovanny said.

“I ran with them, encouraged them and pushed them to do their best,” Israel said of his work with the Unified track stars. “I am honored to be working with them.”

Another partner athlete, Gracie-Lyn, said, “I get to help another team with something they will always remember. Knowing we could go to state is great.” 

And partner Julian noted how it feels good to be part of “something historic,” referring the first UIL Unified track competitions.

Collier said at SWHS, each of the school’s athletic teams has figured out a way to include Life Skills students in their sports programming. “It is our mission that everyone has a place at Spring Woods High School. All means all.”

Follow the progress of the Unified track team on the SWHS Twitter account.