Newtown High School senior Kira Flynn was honored at the Board of Education's meeting on Tuesday, January 19, for her Junior/Senior Project.

Kira presented her project at the start of January with the rest of the students in the first semester of the high school class, which is designed to offer students the chance to build on existing strengths and to provide the opportunity to explore a subject or career they are passionate about outside of the classroom, while developing a career-oriented relationship with a community professional as a mentor in the student's area of chosen interest. The course is overseen by Elizabeth Hanna, Susan McConnell, and Peg Ragaini.

For her project, Kira, mentored by NHS physical education teacher Kathy Davey, created a Unified Sports Student-Leader Guidebook.

The Unified Sports program at NHS offers competitive sports opportunities for special needs students. Students are assisted by partners, some of whom are traditional high school athletes.

One hundred copies of her guidebook were published for distribution across the state by the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC).

Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, told the Board of Education that he wanted circulate Kira's work. Kira, he said, has been a "very, very active member in the Unified Sports program."

A number of fellow members of the program were present to support Kira at the meeting.

Dr Erardi said Kira's guidebook will serve student leaders for the Unified Sports program across the state, adding that Kira took on the effort out of her passion and love for the program.

"Kira, on behalf of the Board of Education, congratulations to you for being an outstanding member of the Class of 2016 and an outstanding member of the State of Connecticut Unified Sports," said Dr Erardi.

Ms Davey also spoke at the meeting, saying Kira has also been contacted by schools from outside of Connecticut about the guidebook.

"The work that she has done… It's phenomenal, it's contagious, and everyone at the school is seeing the benefit of it," said Ms Davey.

NHS Principal Lorri Rodrigue and a number of the NHS Unified Sports program members also attended the meeting to support Kira. Board of Education Chair Keith Alexander presented Kira with a certificate to commemorate her accomplishment.