<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0FCNGz_0wLtcBLq00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0FCNGz_0wLtcBLq00" width="1000" height="1000" >Each year, the sports medicine students learn about special populations, with Roether emphasizing the importance of treating all patients equally in the field of medicine. "What started as an academic piece has turned into a social-emotional piece," Roether explained. She rotates the Games with Friends bell period each week to ensure all her students can participate, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and understanding.The positive impact of the program on both groups of students is clear. "It’s neat to see the interactions. Both sides are benefitting from it more than I would have ever dreamed," Roether said. This year, she teamed up with True Strength Awareness, the foundation started by Lakota West alumnus and NFL player Jordan Hicks in February. The organization’s website quotes Hicks sharing that "TRUE STRENGTH creates a platform for future leaders and educators to emerge from the student bodies that participate in our events. By encouraging students to connect with those from different backgrounds, we foster a spirit of understanding and empower the next generation to be more inclusive." Many of Roether’s students are also involved in the extracurricular organization HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America). As members, the students are encouraged to give back and become leaders, making the group’s involvement with True Strength Ability Awareness, a high school program through Hicks’ foundation, a natural extension of the weekly Games with Friends. According to the True Strength website, one of the goals of True Strength Ability Awareness is to “raise funds and empower special education departments." Nicole Lampe, a special education teacher at the school, loves watching her students have the same opportunities as others to play and participate in the games. “Our students have so much spirit and determination,” she said. “They talk about this bell throughout the week and (it’s) definitely a highlight about coming to school.” The games vary from week to week, all being adapted for different abilities.Senior Kacie Kenyon shared her excitement about the program, saying, "It’s been really fun and cool, watching the (students with disabilities) have fun." She recalled a memorable moment during West’s football game against Colerain High School this season. West’s coach, Tom Bolden, put a student who participates in the school’s Games with Friends in the football game, bringing joy not only to the student, but also the team, fans and his fellow Games with Friends and True Strength classmates. "Everybody is different. This (experience) has opened my mind up to interacting with different people. Everyone just wants to be treated the same," said Kenyon.“Our students have gained many new friendships through Games with Friends,” said Lampe. “They will say hi to each other in the hallways, lunch and events. When we bring our students to sporting events and dances, kids will come and hang out. Some share contact (information) and text each other. Some are reunited with friends they went to grade school with.”Jonathan Hall, expressed his enthusiasm for the weekly games and seeing Roether’s students. "I’m always excited for Fridays," he said. Senior Akua Addae praised the initiative, saying, "I think it’s a really good idea, including everybody and making them feel a part of it. I think other people will see it and want to do it at their school."Student Abigail Carangi shared, "I love it. It is amazing that I can hang out with my friends. They think of new games to play."Lampe enjoys watching Roether’s students encourage her shyest ones to participate in the games. “And if they don’t want to play what everyone else is playing, (Roether’s) kids will change their plans and do something different for one or two kids to make sure they are included. This is one of the many reasons our students look forward to this opportunity each week.”In January, Roether’s HOSA students will host a fundraiser during the Lakota West boys basketball game against Mason, with proceeds going to the school's special education program. While Lampe hasn’t decided exactly what the funds will be used for, she certainly has a few ideas, including the purchase of adaptive sports equipment. She’d also like to build a sensory garden in a shared courtyard at the school. Roether hopes to expand the program's reach. "At the end of the day, what I want is to develop an assembly where the high school students visit fifth-to-eighth graders to introduce what they’re doing and spread their message of inclusivity. We need to focus on what students and people with disabilities can do, not what they can’t," she said.Through their dedication and compassion, these students are leading the way in creating a more inclusive and understanding community, inspired by the support and vision of Jordan Hicks and the True Strength Awareness foundation.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Lakota West Students Lead the Way in Inclusivity

Each year, the sports medicine students learn about special populations, with Roether emphasizing the importance of treating all patients equally in the field of medicine. \"What started as an academic piece has turned into a social-emotional piece,\" Roether explained. She rotates the Games with Friends bell period each week to ensure all her students can participate, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and understanding.

Each year, the sports medicine students learn about special populations, with Roether emphasizing the importance of treating all patients equally in the field of medicine. "What started as an academic piece has turned into a social-emotional piece," Roether explained. She rotates the Games with Friends bell period each week to ensure all her students can participate, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and understanding.