The Windjammer
Disabilities Awareness AssemblyWednesday, June 20, 2012 By Lisa Turay
On Friday, April 27, the LAFF Club, Learning Acceptance through Friends and Fun, put together the 2nd Annual Disabilities Awareness Assembly to raise awareness for special education students. During the assembly, presidents Edith Vargas and Erika Alvarez took to the microphone to explain what being in LAFF club has meant to them personally. As the assembly progressed, different students in Miss Lindsey Brown’s class fearlessly spoke up about their various illnesses and disorders, and how they have been able to cope through school and life in general. In between these touching stories, Vargas orchestrated games such as, Name that Tune! with piano player Natalie Rodriguez, and a wheelchair race won by Jose “Wheels” Cisuentes, and an essay contest held previously that month. Eighth grade student, Elise Holman, had her essay read aloud as the First Prize winner. Previously that week, certain regular education students volunteered to take a walk in a special education student’s shoes by living a day with a disability. They later shared their experiences on video, projected during the assembly. Miss Brown then explained the correct procedures for interacting with a disabled student and let us know that it is okay to say hello to a student in the hallways once in a while. Miss Brown said, “I love that I go home with a smile after every meeting knowing that I’ve made the kids happy and encouraged them to make friends.” Vargas explains, “I love LAFF club! I think it’s the best club at Mayfair because there are a lot of clubs that have a good purpose, but, LAFF club teaches you a lesson that you can take on and have for the rest of your life. It teaches you a special kind of respect that you don’t get anywhere else!” |