To connect students with special needs to other students and other experiences, the school is creating a new club — Unified Champions. The club will open opportunities for students to befriend and support students with special needs and will allow students with special needs to be involved with more activities in the school. The club is actively seeking new members.
Junior Jordan Marin is interested in joining the club.
“I just love helping people,” Marin said. “I want to put good out into the world, and seeing people happy makes me happy. I also think this would be a fun experience, and it can help with team building and bonding.”
The club had its first meeting on Friday, Jan. 12. There are two ways students can become a part of Unified Champions. The first pathway is for students who just want to help and have fun. They will participate in activities with special needs students through games. The goal is to have fun and make connections with each other. The second pathway is for students who want to become leaders in the club. The leadership portion is for students who have a vision for how they think the club can grow and become more integrated into the school and community. All ideas from the leaders are valid and will be discussed.
Students who are interested in the leadership part of the club will meet twice a month compared to meeting once a month for regular club members.
“I love this idea, and I’m really excited to see this club in action” Brit Budd, a special education teacher said. “This club is amazing and I’m really excited to see the kids working together.”
Associate principal John-Mark Edwards said he thinks this club is amazing and he wants it to succeed.
“But this club can only succeed if students join and participate,” Edwards said. “This club can be something special but we need to work together.”
At the next meeting on Feb. 2, students can expect to play games and icebreakers. This meeting will be a get-to-know-you meeting. Students will meet in the cafeteria where there will be games and snacks for everyone who shows up.
This club was started to help others and include students who don’t get to participate with most students. Current club leaders hope students will come out and support the club.
