How Woodhaven-Brownstown Built a Pipeline of Inclusion
Woodhaven-Brownstown’s 2025 Victory Day
In the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District, inclusion doesn’t end when the bell rings – it shows up on the football field, the playground, and in every cheer that echoes from the stands. Over the past year, the district’s Special Services team has strengthened that culture through two remarkable programs: Victory Day and Special Olympics Young Athletes. Together, they form a bridge of belonging that stretches from early childhood to graduation.
For instance, each fall, Woodhaven High School’s football field becomes the center of Downriver’s most uplifting event. Victory Day, founded and operated by Trenton Public Schools Teacher, Mr. Aaron Segredi, began in 2010 in Trenton and has now expanded to hundreds of high schools and universities across the country. Victory Day pairs students with disabilities and varsity athletes for a day of teamwork, cheer, and celebration. Families fill the stands while classmates volunteer, creating an environment where every student has the chance to shine.
The event promotes confidence and connection while reinforcing an inclusive culture. It also feeds directly into the other year-round initiatives, including the Special Olympics Unified Sports and peer-mentoring programs that help students develop friendships and leadership skills. Victory Day has become a signature example of how the district and community come together to celebrate every individual’s strengths.
“All of our students grow up with a sense of belonging that carries through every stage of their school life.”
Matthew Salah
Exec. Dir. of Special Services
Woodhaven-Brownstown School District
The Woodhaven-Brownstown School District established a culture to include all students regardless of ability and foster meaningful participation in activities, starting with a comprehensive Unified Sports and United Sound Program for their secondary students. These programs have seen such success under the leadership of our coordinator for Unified Sports, Ms. Alicia Flynn and Band Director Mr. Bradley Faryniarz. Students participating in these programs have the opportunity to learn an instrument, play basketball, bowling, and track and field. That same spirit begins long before kindergarten. This year, Woodhaven-Brownstown partnered with Special Olympics Michigan to launch Young Athletes, a play-based program for children ages two to four.
Held at the Brownstown Event Center, each session focuses on movement, coordination, and teamwork. Children with and without disabilities play together, practicing skills that prepare them for school and sports. Parents join in, learning simple ways to encourage growth and confidence at home. Young Athletes provides more than physical development – it helps families see what inclusion can look like from the very beginning of a child’s educational journey.
Together, these two programs create a continuous pathway for inclusion that begins in early childhood and extends through graduation. “All of our students grow up with a sense of belonging that carries through every stage of their school life”, said Matthew Salah, Executive Director of Special Services at Woodhaven- Brownstown. The district’s Special Services leadership has worked closely with educators, coaches, and families to ensure that these opportunities continue to grow each year.
Woodhaven-Brownstown’s model demonstrates how collaboration and creativity can turn inclusive ideals into everyday experiences. Whether on the field or in the classroom, every student has a place to participate, connect, and succeed.
Sources:
District (WBSD) announcement – Special Olympics Young Athletes – Official district communication that WBSD launched Young Athletes in Fall 2025 at the Brownstown Event Center.
Brownstown Township (official) – Young Athletes program page – Confirms program location (Brownstown Event Center), recurring dates/times, and that it’s a free sport & play program for ages 2–4/2–7, developing motor/social skills.
District post – Victory Day 2025 recap – Official WBSD channel noting Victory Day 2025 and participation (e.g., ~70 children)—a concrete, current-year success marker.
Local media coverage – 15th Annual Victory Day – Independent mention of Victory Day’s 15th year at Woodhaven HS (Sept. 13, 2025), supporting recency and scale.
