Elora Cordier lined up her shot under the bright gymnasium lights, the stands filled with spectators, and nailed it.
A smile crossed her face as her friends and teammates cheered.
The Bow senior won the Falcon Award for basketball for her dedication to unified sports, as a player and an ambassador. Her mother, Amanda Cordier, said they like to use the phrase “autism proud.”
Unified sports has allowed Elora the space to grow in a new environment and put herself out there.
She didn’t seem to have much doubt about her senior project when it came around earlier this year. She put together a field day for everyone to come and play together.
She invited the John Stark unified programs in the fall for the big day, including spikeball and some stand-up comedy from a unified teammate.
She made posters to plaster on the high school walls, sent out invitations and worked with staff to put it all together.
“A lot of things,” she said about what it took to make the field day happen. She said the soccer and basketball seasons had been so much fun that she couldn’t come up with just one thing she loved about them.
As her mother asked her about why she enjoyed unified, Elora fidgeted and took time to answer each question. On the basketball court, however, she could not have been more focused on the task at hand.
Her coach, Jess Kaufman-Desrochers, has taught special education for six years at Bow High School and for 20 years overall.
She coaches the Pembroke girls’ soccer team in the fall and middle school track in the spring. Coaching unified basketball is unique in more than one way.
“For the coaches and the fans, it just helps you see the game from a whole different perspective,” Kaufman-Desrochers said.
First, everybody roots for each other. Obviously, both teams want to win, but participation and inclusion are the name of the game. The gym is filled with loud clapping and cheering for every single basket made.
Coach Kaufman-Desrochers was the one who nominated Elora Cordier for accolades. She noted Elora’s four years of unified soccer and basketball participation and her senior project.
“She shows up every day, every practice, every game with a willingness to work hard and a passion for her team, her teammates and the sport,” she said.
Elora’s mother wished she could have participated even earlier in unified sports. She had some opportunities here and there, but not many were integrated into Elora’s school experience.
Over the last four years, Amanda Cordier has seen tremendous growth in her daughter. Her awareness of herself and others grew immensely.
“I would love to see it start earlier to build that camaraderie, to build the community and the inclusion earlier. I mean, high school has been wonderful,” she said.
Kaufman-Desrochers said Elora isn’t afraid to try again when she falters. She shares the spotlight with others and is a true team player.
Elora affirmed that she has learned how to communicate with teammates with different abilities, whether verbally or using gestures, and that she loves passing the ball. Of course, she also loves shooting and making baskets.