The Humble ISD Integrated Athletics Event brought special education students together for a series of athletic competitions at Turner Stadium, on Friday March 1.
Paw Pals, a club for general education students to bond with and plan events for special education students, allowed 10 student members to participate in the event. Paw Pals students were assigned stations such as running, hurdles, and ball throwing, to assist the event. Sherri Fielder, Paw Pals sponsor and teacher, enjoys seeing students at Summer Creek involved with special education.
“I think it helps really develop relationships with students with special needs and general education students, so people know that it’s cool to have friends with special needs,” Fielder said. “Allowing our kids to be able to see general education kids model appropriate behavior and things of that nature just builds a long-time relationship and long-time bonds.”
Rhegan Schneider, Paw Pals President, enjoys working with special education students and helping at events such as Integrated Athletics. As a co-founding member of Paw Pals, and two-year president of the organization, she has seen the depths of the positive impact Paw Pals and its events have on special education students.
“It’s beneficial for the special education students because they get to have experiences that everyone else gets to have,” Schneider said. “It’s specialized to their needs, so they get to be included in school spirit.”
Last Friday, junior Glenn Brewer participated for the second time in Humble’s Integrated Athletics event. Brewer won three medals and had a great time at the event.
“It was good, and I’m excited for next year,” Brewer said.
Special education student NaVeya Kennard also had a great experience participating in Integrated Athletics. Kennard was nervous about competing in the running event because of the large crowd of spectators watching. Despite her fears, Kennard won first place in her division.
“At first I was nervous about running, but then I was okay, and I did it,” Kennard said. “I won first place, I did it! It felt good.”
Paw Pals benefits not just the special education students, but its members as well. Although being Paw Pals President comes with its challenges, Schneider finds her position fulfilling.
“At the events I get to see everybody hanging out and having fun, and I think that is the most enjoyable part, seeing all the hard work pay off,” Schneider said.
Fielder feels the same way.
“Just like everybody else, [special education students] want to have fun, they want to talk, they want to hang out, they want to just have a good time,” Fielder said. “So I think when kids can do that together it just builds a community of awesome awesome kids and people.”
