The Duke and Duchess

All of our girls graduated from the same high school, in 2004, 2005 and 2009, and last night Chuck and I went to the Homecoming football game.

A few years ago they started a program called Sparkles, where some of the girls from the life skills class can try out for and become cheerleaders. Beth was in the Life skills class while she attended there but they never had anything like this! It was great to see all the cheerleaders on the sidelines, then lining up for the team as they ran off the field at halftime. Then all the cheerleaders stood in line and held the giant banner as the team ran back onto the field after halftime. It was just nice to see the school accepting them and including them in their activities.

When Beth attended there, the Life skills class was rarely, if ever, invited to assemblies or class activities. Beth wasn't in the Senior group photo for the yearbook, they didn't take part in Spirit Week, it was really sad. I asked the teacher about it a couple times but was always told that the kids didn't want to do it, or that it was too difficult to take some of the kids out of class and still have enough help in the class... I don't know, I always thought those were just excuses.

Last night they announced the Royal Court and the Homecoming King and Queen. Then the announcer said, "And for the first time ever, we'd like to introduce, from our Life skills class, the Homecoming Duke and Duchess ..." Oh my word! I thought that was amazing!

This school, who for years would barely acknowledge kids who had special needs, is now making changes. They are realizing that people with special needs are people too and they DO want to be included.

The Duke and Duchess. I thought that was awesome.

"Extra! Extra! Read All About It!"

Special Needs in the news.

Special Olympians skate with ‘Toy Story’ skaters

Special Olympians join 'Toy Story 3' skaters at Comcast

By Amy Daybert, Herald Writer

EVERETT -- Special Olympians Kristie Clark and Vicken Ouyarian skated at Comcast Arena on Friday afternoon with Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie from the "Disney On Ice Toy Story 3" show.
They and eight other Special Olympians and their families received front row seats at a special performance by the show's cast members.

Clark, 38, of Everett, and Mukilteo resident Ouyarian, 50, eagerly laced up their skates to hit the ice with the professional skaters.

Ouyarian had one word to describe skating with the "Disney On Ice" stars.

"Excellent," he said.

This took place at an arena about 20 minutes from where we live. I thought it was great that they thought about doing this, then took the time to actually contact people and get everything set up. Way to go Disney on Ice! To read the entire article, you can click here.

One more -

These cheerleaders are from the same school that all three of our girls graduated from! They didn't have the Sparkles program when they attended but I had read about it in other parts of the country. I'm glad that 'our' school is the first one in the state to offer this program! The full article has an interview with a girl named Kendall. She attends our church and is in the youth choir with Beth as well as Special Olympics track and bowling.

Sparkles add shine to cheerleading

Program includes girls with disabilities

By Katie Murdoch, Herald writer

The Edmonds-Woodway cheer squad is shattering the preconceived notion of exclusivity with help from the Sparkle Effect.

The national program encourages school cheer squads and dance teams to include students with disabilities.

Local cheerleaders invited girls with disabilities to join the Sparkles last summer. Three accepted.

Senior Kendall Lancaster, 18, joined the Sparkles as a chance to learn new skills and make more friends.

A knack for forming the pyramid and performing in front of a crowd that's cheering her on have been the highlights of her experience.