PTHS is Unified Over Bocce Team Success
eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
66 PETERS TOWNSHIP
PETERS TOWNSHIP
SCHOOL DISTRICT
PTHS is Unified Over Bocce Team Success
On March 21 , 2024 , Peters Township students made history once again as the High School earned the title of 2024 PIAA Unified Bocce State Champions . The feat is remarkable partly because it is the first title for the team in its inaugural year as a sport in Peters Township , but more so because of the relationships between the players on the team .
The Unified Bocce team is part of the Special Olympics Unified Sports , which joins people with and without intellectual or physical disabilities on the same team . It was inspired by a simple principle : training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding .
The Peters Township Team is coached by teachers Mark Seckar and Brian Farrell with only five players - Sofia Ellison , Wyatt Johnston , Reston Lehman , Parker Mamula and Mark Ripepi . For most of this team , the game of bocce was new , but their excitement for working together made them unbeatable in the end .
As the District continued to look for new ways to support students of all levels of ability , the idea of Unified Sports fit in well with existing programs at the school . The District offers the Partners Physical Education class as an elective at the high school , where students enroll who would like to assist and develop partnerships with students with special needs and those students who have medical restrictions that would benefit from one-on-one assistance . Each year that class is incredibly popular with students and the District jumped at the chance to add similar opportunities .
The Pupil Services Department , which supports students with special needs across the District worked with the Athletic Department and originally planned to begin Unified Sports prior to the COVID pandemic and plans were put on hold . Athletic Director Brian Geyer was familiar with the Unified Bocce program in Allegheny County and appealed to officials to expand into Washington County . As a winter offering , Geyer knew the opportunity for participation would be good as it would not
compete for participants with some of the larger fall and spring teams such as football and track . The first step was to find a coach , but they did not have to look far as teacher Mark Seckar quickly stepped forward to lead the team .
“ Mark has coached both basketball and track before ,” said Geyer , “ but more importantly he had a heart for leading this team .”
It was a collaborative effort for everyone involved to get the team started . Seckar explained that both he and the team were new to the sport of bocce .
“ It was a learning experience for all of us . To learn the game , to learn the rules and to pull this team together ,” he said . As the team was recognized at the School Board meeting for their championship , Seckar commended the wonderful players he had on his team and noted that as the season began no one thought they would make it to Hershey for the championships .
“ These kids are just tremendous ,” Seckar added . “ All five of them stepped up and made unbelievable throws at the most critical times .”
One of the unique aspects of Unified Sports is the focus on the relationships of the teammates . The coaches work with them at practice and prior to the match , but once the game begins there can be no more instruction from the coach .
“ Even before the championship win , seeing them work together was the biggest success for us ,” said High School Principal Dr . Lori Pavlik . “ This team has broadened the inclusive environment in our school . Their reputation as bocce champions is something our whole student body takes prides in .”
Through the Pupil Services Department , Mrs . Patricia Kelly and Mrs . April Ragland have brought a variety of programs to our schools to give entry points into our school community for students with a variety of needs and interests . The goal is for the programs to be varied to allow for greater participation across activities .
Assistant Principal Mrs . Joie Conroy cites part of the success of these programs as students seeing their classmates in a different way .
“ We want a school that goes beyond just kindness ,” she said . “ Our goal is to build not only an inclusive culture , but a culture of acceptance .”
Students with special needs are not only supported through the curriculum , but they are involved in many activities throughout the school . The Coffee Tree Roasters shop in the school is supported by both the business classes and the life skills classes . Students work together in the Best Buddies Club , some of the students with special needs also volunteer with the Horticulture Club to help care for plants around the school and they deliver packages to classrooms throughout the day .
Like the Bocce team , the success of these programs is the teamwork and everyone coming together to help . And with the Bocce team ’ s success this year , the District hopes the programs will continue to grow .
“ This is one of the best things that I ’ ve ever been involved with .” add Seckar . “ These players did a wonderful job of working together as a team and they accomplished great things .”