Busy Time For EHS Unified Sports Includes New Event, Statewide Honor

Schools Busy Time For EHS Unified Sports Includes New Event, Statewide Honor A round robin volleyball event included Allied’s Enfield Stars, police and firefighters, and head coach Armando Ramos got a statewide award. Reply
A recent round robin volleyball event at Enfield High School included the EHS Unified Sports team, Allied’s Enfield Stars, Enfield police and Thompsonville firefighters. (Sara Levinthal)
ENFIELD, CT — It’s been a busy past few weeks for the Unified Sports program at Enfield High School, beginning with a round robin-style volleyball tournament involving four community teams and culminating in the presentation of a statewide award to the program’s head coach.
On April 22, members of the Enfield High School Unified Sports team, Allied’s Enfield Stars, and members of the Enfield Police and Thompsonville Fire departments gathered in the school gymnasium to compete for the first-ever Enfield Unified Cup championship. This new event was organized by Unified head coach Armando Ramos, and gave every team the opportunity to play each other. The focus was on fun, supportive play and sportsmanship, with music pumping in the background and lots of shared laughs. Dynamic energy, intensity and enthusiasm were flowing on every court, from the opening ceremonies to dancing and a pizza party social. In the end, the Enfield Police Department/Enfield High School mixed team took home the championship trophy. The event showcased amazing school and town camaraderie and support.
“This event was a once in a lifetime experience, unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime,” Unified partner athlete Lily Bellucci said. Partner athlete Erin Connery said, “This event was a great inclusive way for a unified team to experience a sports game, and including the community made it even more fun.”
“To see the number of Enfield High School students involved is tremendous,” Mayor Bob Cressotti said. “To see members of the Allied Enfield Stars and members of the community taking part in an event like this is very special. This is what our town really thrives on; the interaction is great. Our police department really goes above and beyond for what they raise for Special Olympics and should really be commended.” Ramos said, “This was a really fun event where we could bring the whole community together. Great to have the Allied Enfield Stars, the police department and the Thompsonville Fire Department all come together for just a great cause and to have a great time.”
At the recent CIAC Unified Sports banquet at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington, Ramos, in his tenth year at the helm, was honored with the George Synnott Unified Sports Coach of the Year award. “The program had an outstanding year with many highlights, such as presenting seminars at CAS leadership conferences, hosting a CIAC cornhole tournament, attending Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day in Washington, hosting a volleyball tournament with Enfield first responders and our local Allied Stars, and several inclusion campaigns,” Ramos said. “We also competed in soccer, flag football, basketball, and bowling, and will be hosting a track and field night with JFK and Allied Stars on June 6.”