EC banquet
EC banquet brings Thanksgiving to RoseBY SOPHIE LEWIS NOVEMBER 25, 2014
Thanksgiving is a time of giving back and of being grateful. The Student Government Association (SGA) has prepared to give back today to those who would appreciate it most by preparing a banquet for the Exceptional Children’s department at Rose.
“This is for all of the five EC classes we have here,” junior Walker Allen said. Allen and junior Macy Powers are the co-chairs for the SGA cabinet for the EC partnership. “We try to make sure they get holiday events and are treated like everyone else,” Allen said. Since Thanksgiving is important to most people, SGA wanted to make it special for these students. “Thanksgiving is a time where we should really be grateful for what we have, and I’m really grateful for these kids,” Allen said. ”Having someone in my family with special needs really makes it all come home.” Allen’s cousin has autism which she feels helps her relate more to the kids in the EC community. “A lot of these kids live in group homes and weren’t getting a proper thanksgiving feast,” Allen said. The purpose of this “feast” is to make sure EC students get to be a part of something special for Thanksgiving. Since many of the students live in group homes, nothing specific was planned for Thanksgiving. “We are doing what normal families would do,” Allen said. So last year Allen started this so that the students could experience some “normality.” “Last year I planned everything myself, but this year I am incorporating more of Rose,” Allen said. Powers also feels that Thanksgiving is a time for giving back and hopes that everyone who volunteers will enjoy themselves while working for a good cause. Junior Mills Lebo is one of the volunteers was really excited that all of these kids come to this event. “All of them come, every single one,” Lebo said. ”Even the ones in wheelchairs and stuff.” Lebo was ready to express how much she enjoys hanging out with her buddy. “You have a buddy so you get to hang out with one specific person and just have fun,” Lebo said. This event also encourages the students involved to bond with the kids they go to school with and their teachers. “We like to give them a time they can sit down with the people there around at school and their teachers and have a good time,” Lebo said. To Lebo, Thanksgiving is a important time that should be spent with family and friends. “We look at it like these kids don’t get the same advantages that we have to sit down with their families for a Thanksgiving meal,” Lebo said. The banquet happened as planned during third period in the Annex. It was a success and a joy for everyone who attended. |
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