SUTHERLIN – Sutherlin High School earned a national recognition Tuesday from Special Olympics for the commitment the school and its students have made to inclusion.

Sutherlin High was one of four Oregon schools to receive national banner recognition as a Special Olympics Unified National Champion School this week and the school is now one of only 82 schools nationwide to earn a national banner.

The Bulldogs met 10 standards of excellence set by Special Olympics and other leaders in the education community to receive the national banner honor. The standards are based on the availability and participation in unified sports, which pair athletes with and without intellectual disabilities together. The standards also require a school to provide inclusive youth leadership opportunities and work to spread the message of inclusion throughout the whole-school population.

Sutherlin has had lots of success with its unified sports program and its basketball team traveled to the East Coast last year to take part in a national championship tournament. The Bulldogs received a banner to hang in the gymnasium.