Standing Bear High School became a source of unity this spring when students of all ages displayed kindhearted actions on a grassy field.

Hundreds of Grizzlies shared cheers during the school’s first Cubs Field Day activities. Children in Standing Bear’s preschool program participated in several track and field events while older students supported their every step and throw. The games also connected preschoolers with athletes and peers from Standing Bear’s Unified Grizzlies program.

Standing Bear sophomores Gabby and Charis said they were happy to see an empty field transform into an energetic environment for Cubs Field Day. Both Grizzlies helped athletes succeed throughout the year in their unified physical education and unified track and field activities. They shared the same passion for preschoolers who navigated an obstacle course and threw plush ribbon-tied balls in the air.

“It’s been so much fun to do this,” Charis said. “I love being around everyone and getting to help them.”

“Just seeing the involvement with all of the grades has been really fun,” Gabby said. “I think it’s great to see everybody come together like this.”

Standing Bear Special Education Department Chair Jeremy Wood watched with pride as the Grizzlies enjoyed their time outside. Members of the Unified Grizzlies program – which features unified opportunities in 11 school activities – have been building bridges with classmates for two years. Unified physical education students felt a Cubs Field Day would promote that vision even more, and early childhood teachers enthusiastically agreed with their plan.

“When we presented them with that idea, they said, ‘Yes. Absolutely,’” Wood said. “I was pretty proud of our kids for doing all of the work to make this happen, and here we are, with an all-school inclusion activity.”

Gabby, Charis and other unified physical education leaders worked with Wood to arrange track meets during morning and afternoon preschool sessions. One of their top goals was to elevate the idea of community engagement in everyone’s minds. They partnered with Special Olympics of Nebraska, asked high school classmates to attend the games and invited early childhood parents to watch the festivities.

Lincoln resident Mariah said her daughter Isabelle was thrilled when she learned Cubs Field Day would be on her preschool calendar.

“She just loves anything that involves the high schoolers,” Mariah said. “She did draw a picture of Cubs Field Day and what it would look like. She was like, ‘This is the maze,’ and ‘This is the throwing part.’ She was very excited about it.”

Mariah said the event met Isabelle’s expectations from the very beginning. Unified Grizzlies teachers and students placed a long blue carpet outside one of the building’s doors for preschoolers to use for a tunnel walk. Older Standing Bear supporters lined the pathway with many handmade signs, and they kept that electricity going once the track and field events started. They roared each time a little learner sprinted through hula hoops or tossed a ball towards the sky.

“The community that they have here is really amazing,” Mariah said. “Seeing how they included the high schoolers and the preschoolers together and just seeing the older kids cheering on the younger kids. It was really cool to see that and for your kid to experience that.”

Wood said the surging popularity of the Unified Grizzlies initiative made Cubs Field Day possible. Only a dozen students took part in unified activities during the 2024-25 school year, but that number rose to nearly 100 peers in 2025-26. They helped eight athletes enjoy unified club, bowling, track and field, music, physical education, arts, culinary, book club, yearbook, walking club and digital media club opportunities.

“It’s happened naturally because kids are really interested in being part of something like this,” Wood said. “It comes down to being a good person, helping everybody and including everybody.”

Gabby said being involved in the Unified Grizzlies program has led to many rewarding moments at school. It has also increased the likelihood that she will become a special education teacher one day.

“I want to work in special education when I’m older, so I figured this would be a good opportunity to see if it was something I was really interested in,” Gabby said. “I think it’s a great way to connect with people. It’s really fun to meet new people and see different perspectives.”

Wood said Unified Grizzlies students would like to add even more activities in future years.

“We believe our Unified Grizzlies clubs and activities empower youth and educators to be leaders of change,” Wood said. “At Standing Bear, we want to create, maintain and encourage a welcoming environment for all.”

Wood said he believes future generations of Grizzlies will continue connecting with fellow students every spring at Cubs Field Day.

“Our goal is that one day these kids will come to high school and do Cubs Field Day when they’re here, and they’ll keep the circle going,” Wood said. “This school will be here when they get older, and I think this foundation of inclusion that we’re building is going to be here too.”

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Standing Bear students promote unity with Cubs Field Day activities