Published October 11, 2023

John Hersey High School held an inclusive basketball game as part of its homecoming festivities. Sixty-five students in the Career Life Skills program played in the fourth annual "The Big Game." The event is student-led with members of the school basketball team helping to coach and plan the game. The entire student body cheered them on to support. 

"I feel like they feel supported and recognized as a part of this community. They feel valued and that is obviously what we want to do here at Hersey. So it's really exciting that every single person gets to feel accepted with one game," said senior Ava Harwood, one of the student coaches and member of the girls basketball team.

"The Big Game" also serves as a fundraiser. This year, the school raised more than $1,300 for Gerry's Cafe, a non-profit coffee shop that employs individuals with intellectual disabilities. The store employs six Hersey High School graduates.

Watch "The Big Game" featured on ABC 7 Chicago and Fox 32 Chicago.