UNIFY 2026

On March 25th, Franklin High School hosted its 7th annual Unify March Madness game. 

This wholesome event features a basketball game made up by two teams, red and white, composed of FHS Special Education students and alumni, each paired with a senior student to help them on the court. 

Penny Moffitt and the class of 2019 first started this tradition, but it’s since grown into an incredible night that the entire community looks forward to each year. “I think every student leadership group that helps plan this brings their own unique spin to it with the themes,” says Moffitt. 

Sherri Houston, EC teacher, says, “Their basketball skills have improved so much over the years. My students come into the school year asking about Unify.”

If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend this inspiring event, you missed out on an electrifying night of smiles, cheers, and maybe even tears.

Bekah Brooks, P.E. and Health teacher, described the night: “That was phenomenal. I thought the turnout was great. The parade is probably the best we’ve ever had, and this gym was electric. These kids had the time of their lives.”

Unify went off without a hitch thanks to Sara Crupi, Grade 12, and the student leadership team. “As long as I see everyone smiling and having fun, that’s all that matters,” says Crupi.

“Honestly, this was completely student-led, and I’m just so 100% proud of our students, [along with] Bekah Brooks and Jamie Waldroop,” says Lucinda Harrell, Project Management teacher. “The heart, time, and dedication that they put into this and how special they make this for our kids is just remarkable.”

The planning process for Unify starts very early in the school year. “I actually started in August or September designing the t-shirts, and from then on, it was all in,” says Crupi. “We started practicing in December every Tuesday and Thursday… just shooting shots, and then we’ll start doing drills. A few practices in, we’d get jerseys out and actually play, just getting them used to their partner.”

Student leadership isn’t the only group involved in putting on Unify. Members of the National Honors Society made posters to encourage players. The CAMINO and Interact clubs formed spirit tunnels welcoming the players to the court.

Many teachers from different departments also played different roles in the night, with the Math department handing out t-shirts to attendees at the doors. Blair King, FHS principal, says “I just love seeing the crowd and the school come together. It leaves you speechless.”

From the very beginning, Unify is a joyful event, with excitement palpable in the air. The event started with the Parade of Champions, where a fire truck led the way for the athletes and the student hype squad. 

The FHS marching band aided in raising the spirits of the crowd. Band member Novalei Nicholas, Grade 11, was “excited to see all the players and cheer them on.”

As an FHS cheerleader, Madeline Bishop, Grade 11, excels at celebrating other athletes. “I love game day environments, and this is probably one of the best that we have here, so I’m really excited to help contribute to all of that.”

From there, the best part of the night has arrived. Months of hard work and preparation culminates in the game itself. 

As warmups begin, the atmosphere is already energetic.

“That student section was the best we’ve ever had,” said Houston. Every basket made, even in warmups, was cheered on by the lively students. “I feel like we got really hyped and brought the energy,” says Lance Parker, Grade 11.

The first quarter began when Natalie Henry, #31, won the jump ball and scored within 10 seconds for the white team’s first basket. Kaitlyn Reeves, #25, scored the first red team shot. Elizabeth Mashburn, #14, made beautiful rebounds for the white team during the first quarter.

Each quarter’s end featured entertainment before the next began. Between the first and second quarter was a dance party with some Unify athletes and their buddies. There was also a mini-game: cheerleader basketball, where white and red team members shot pom poms through hoops made of the cheerleader arms as they sat on another’s shoulders.

The second quarter commenced, with great defense on both sides. Many shots were made, including 3-pointers, dunks, and layups.

The halftime game was a lively faculty vs. students basketball game. The student section enjoyed poking fun at the teachers attempting to beat the students. One jest thrown was, “Greenwood couldn’t hit a shot if the goal was right in front of his face,” which proved to be ironic, since it literally was at one point.

Unify continued into the third quarter. Baskets were made, turnovers were achieved, and the crowd raved through it all. Kaitlyn Reeves, #25, made a buzzer beater shot to end the quarter. This was Reeves’ last game as an FHS student, since she graduates this year. She was honored before the game started as a senior player.

The final mini-game was a relay race. Unify athletes dribbled through cones, threw the ball through a hoop, stacked cups, and finished with a layup. The game ended in a “beautiful tie,” as Mark Sutton, announcer, put it. The crowd also enjoyed Sutton’s rendition of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

In the fourth quarter, Hailey Emmons, #12, dribbled down the court, shot, and scored. In that moment, much like in many others, it seemed as though the entire gymnasium was alive. The game was ended by a stunning shot by an alumni player.

Elizabeth Bennett, #1, thought her teammates did well and liked making shots. “I think [the game] is good, and it’s hard,” says Bennett. 

After the game, each Unify athlete received a personalized award and swag bag from student leadership. The event athletes lined up to autograph fans’ posters to commemorate the event. 

As our voices grow hoarse and our faces hurt from grinning, the night came to a close. We laughed, we cried, we watched a beautiful game of basketball. The Unify March Madness event truly unifies Franklin High School and the community, through the preparation, camaraderie, and celebration of everyone involved.