Redmond Unified Sports shows sheep at the Deschutes County Fair

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Redmond Unified Sports traded competition on the field for the show ring at the Deschutes County Fair, where students had the opportunity to show sheep in front of family, friends, and the community.

Redmond Unified Sports is an inclusive program through Special Olympics that brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities to play, train, and compete on the same team. At Redmond High School, Unified Sports is offered as a class, allowing students to build friendships and teamwork through activities like soccer, basketball, and kickball during the school year.

For the fourth consecutive year, the program partnered with Redmond FFA to give students the chance to experience livestock showing at the fair. Many of the participants had never worked with sheep before, making the event an opportunity to step outside their comfort zones while learning new skills.

The partnership between Unified Sports and FFA has continued to grow each year, creating an environment where students from different backgrounds work together while gaining confidence and supporting one another. Organizers say the experience helps students develop lifelong memories while introducing them to agriculture in a hands-on setting.

Beyond the competition, the event served as a community gathering, bringing together current students, graduates, parents, and supporters. The sheep show highlighted the friendships and connections built through Unified Sports, giving athletes the chance to share a unique experience alongside their teammates and peers while celebrating inclusion at the Deschutes County Fair.