Lincoln North Star High School is setting the standard for Lincoln Public School district by having several Unified programs. All of the programs at North Star make the environment unique because inclusivity is a priority to all of the students and staff. Even other schools in the LPS district are joining North Star which means students across LPS are taking the initiative to make sure that everyone has the same opportunities and voice. North Star was recognized last year by ESPN for all of the Unified programs that are offered to the North Star student body. After this occasion, North Star was given a banner to hang across the student section in the main gym and had an award ceremony for this significant event. These programs that were recognized allow the student body to break down barriers, build bonds, and even friendships.

More specifically, The Unified Student Council provides a place for all students of North Star to feel included and listened to. Current member Daisy Marshall (10) recalls Unified Student Council as an experience that gives “everyone a space to collaborate. It’s a space for everyone to bond over common interests and this is a big part of North Star’s inclusivity”. The Unified Council meets a couple times a month in order to properly plan different fundraisers and activities. The amount of times that

Recently, Unified Council has been working on their Polar Plunge fundraiser, where each council member has raised a certain amount of money to participate. The Polar Plunge was an event where after the Unified Council had to raise money for the upcoming school year then, they would have to run into Holmes Lake.

In order to join Unified Student Council students have to previously be involved in Unified activities like Unified cheer or Unified Physical Education. Most students who are recommended by other teachers and have a personal interest in joining are accepted into this club. Since the Unified Student Council has opened, the club has progressively been growing and this allows North Star students to have the opportunity of being a Unified Program.