On Friday the 13th at our Winter Pep Assembly, Hempfield Area proudly celebrated all of our winter sports teams. But one moment stood out in a truly special way; our Unified Bocce teams earning their place at the WPIAL Championships.
This season has been about so much more than wins and losses. Unified Bocce brings together students of different grades, backgrounds, and abilities, creating a team built on respect, encouragement, and genuine friendship. The team includes students from different grades and backgrounds, bringing together athletes of all abilities. Practices are held after school, where players focus on improving their aim, learning new strategy, and most importantly, encouraging one another.
The dedication of their coaches has helped foster a culture of positivity and school pride that shines through in everything they do.
Senior Braden Crowe shared it best when he said, “The bocce team unifies Hempfield by giving everyone an opportunity to play bocce together. Teams are made up of special needs students and students who want to help out. This creates [the incredible] bonds.”
The program has grown this year to support two teams with one team holding a 7–3 record and the other a record of 6–4.
They finished second and fourth in their division, and both teams have qualified for WPIALS, thrilling for the athletes. The true victory, however, is the way this team represents what it means to be a Spartan.
One of the most important parts of Unified Bocce is inclusion. Every player contributes in their own unique way, and everyone gets the chance to participate, creating a unifying Spartan team. Unified Bocce shows our school community that when everyone is given a place to belong, amazing things happen.
