On Monday, September 15, 2025, the Littleton High School Unified program received recognition by the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools National Recognition Program. Being 1 out of 2 Colorado high schools to win this award, out of the 21 nominated, this is an enormous feat! Not only that, but LHS is the first LPS District school to ever receive this recognition. We are also 1 of 19 other schools that represent Colorado as National Banner schools.
“It’s a great honor. It is not an award that every school wins. It’s based on 10 core values that go along with each school that has a Unified program. I feel that over the past few years, Littleton High School has excelled at these and tried to get our kids included in as much as possible,” said Josh Cox, who has worked and coached with the Unified program for 19 years.
“I am very excited, because all the athletes and partners have worked very hard over the last couple years, and I think it is definitely well deserved,” said Meaghan Coonce, Unified Coach. She has spent the past 3 years coaching and supporting Unified students here at LHS.
“Our Center-based teachers and our paraprofessionals put in most of the work to make this happen,” said Chris Enzminger, Athletic Director. This is his 9th year working with the Unified program.
According to Cox, it was a very lengthy application process. To finally win this award is a true testament to the non-stop dedication and hard work that Enzminger, Coonce, and Cox have put into the Unified program.
“But it’s not just us coaches,” said Cox, ever humble. “It’s the teachers, it’s the students, it’s the athletes that helped us win this award, so that we can represent LHS and Colorado… Our kids love to win, but at the end of the day, it comes down to them getting a chance to be a part of something that’s even greater.”
“Unified Sports is a great opportunity for our special needs athletes, but it’s just as powerful of an opportunity for the partners that get involved. It’s a life changer for both of those groups. The more people understand that, the more people get involved, and the bigger it gets,” said Enzminger.
Receiving this recognition has helped establish LHS as a diverse, welcoming school. “It will help the school because people have another means of knowing that this is an inclusive space that supports all of our students. It’s a good culture to be a part of,” said Enzminger.
“Break down the word Unified. It’s unifying partners and athletes together to create one team. And it’s just an incredible atmosphere,” said Cox with a smile.
Moving forward, there is a lot in store for the LHS Unified program. “I am excited for all the new things that we are adding this year, and we can reapply for this award in four years. It just motivates us to keep getting bigger and better,” said Coonce.
We are incredibly proud of our Unified Lions for winning this well-deserved award. Make sure to keep an eye out for upcoming Unified events!
