In a world where there are so many circumstances that can divide us, one group of high school students is doing everything in their power to make sure no one feels left behind.
Apex Friendship High School’s UNIFY Club has one goal, “to establish and maintain an inclusive school environment for all students.” Now in its fourth year, the club’s numbers have grown from 15-20 members to over 150. So, what is it about this club that makes it stand out among the rest? The UNIFY Club is made up of approximately 150 “neurotypical” student members and 26 exceptional children (EC) students. For co-presidents Taylor Smith and Corrina Miller, the task is simple. “We want to spread the message that we are all the same,” Corrina said. As the school’s second largest student-led group, it is obvious that they are not alone in their mission.
Created by the Special Olympics, the UNIFY Club began as a way to bring students with and without disabilities together to spread awareness, friendship and love. With all four grade levels represented, members of UNIFY participate in Pals Lunches, where group members eat lunch and socialize with their special need members. It is during this time that friendships are formed, and bonds are created.
In addition to their lunchtime conversations, many of the members are also involved in UNIFY Soccer and Cheerleading. “We have practices during lunch, and two or three games this year,” Corrina said. The group is divided into two teams, and during lunch the teams work on basic skills and each member is paired up with a buddy. The teams face off against each other with the support and cheers of the UNIFY Cheerleaders and the entire AFHS family. “Two years ago, we were part of the pep rally, and it was amazing because our athletes got a standing ovation from the school,” Taylor said.
But this group isn’t just about all work and no play! Each holiday season the members of the club get together to bake cookies, enjoy pizza and Chick-Fil-A, and participate in a Secret Santa gift exchange. Valentine’s Day brings bags of goodies for all of the special hearts in the group. But perhaps the most exciting event of the year is the UNIFY Prom.
In 2018, the UNIFY Club hosted their first special needs prom for area high school students. The event included seven area schools, 30 special needs students and their parents, and over 200 student volunteers. “This year we sent out over 400 invitations, to 10 different schools including ours,” Taylor said. This prom is unique because it is a sensory friendly event. “Most of our members can’t go to our regular prom because of the loud music and flashing lights,” Corrina said. This prom brings down the music volume and provides a sensory area outside of the actual room where the prom takes place for those that need a bit of a break from the dark and the noise.
Parents of the special need students are required to attend, but when the time came for their students to dance the night away at the 2018 event, the moms and dads were left watching from the sidelines. As for this year’s event, the numbers have grown right along with the excitement. “We formed a prom committee, and had so many people interested in helping that we had to cut off the sign-ups,” Taylor said. What a great problem to have!
This year’s UNIFY Prom will take place on Saturday, April 13 at Salem Baptist Church. Along with music and dancing, promgoers will be able to enjoy food and photos courtesy of several area vendors, including Lowe’s Foods, Publix, McDonald’s, Holly Springs Chick-Fil-A, and DJ Ronnie Williams, all of whom are donating goods or services for the event.
In conjunction with the Special Olympics of North Carolina, the members of UNIFY also go on field trips to attend other events throughout the year. “We go to the Special Olympics as a field trip, and the Special Olympics of North Carolina provides us with the uniforms for our sports teams,” Taylor said. They also attend events with the Miracle League of the Triangle, which is a baseball league for those with special needs in the community.
Another goal of the UNIFY club, together with the Special Olympics, is to “Spread the Word To End the Word.” This is a campaign to eliminate the use of the “R” word. Students at Apex Friendship High School have taken a pledge to eliminate the use of the “R” word, and are helping spread the message that its use is derogatory, hurtful and amuses no one.
Taylor and Corrina, along with all of the members of the Apex Friendship High School UNIFY Club are working daily to spread the message that those with special needs are no different from anyone else walking the halls of their beloved school. They like to dance, play sports, listen to music and socialize like any teenager. “I think it is awesome to have a club where the members interact with the EC students. Our members will stop and say hello to all of our special need students, when others may not. The little things you do can make a difference,” Taylor said. “There is a reason that our club is one of the most helpful clubs, especially today with everything that is going on in the world. At least we can come together here,” Corrina said.
In a world where division is all around, and many struggle to find their place, it is encouraging to know that the next generation is taking steps to bridge the divides and unify this small part of the world, one student at a time.
For more information about the UNIFY club at Apex Friendship High School, please visit their webpage at http://afhsunify.weebly.com or email afhsprojectunify@gmail.com.
