To the editor:
On May 15, our Power of Peer Supports (POPS) group at Bonduel High School had the opportunity to help out with a special needs prom dance at our school. About eight different schools came from nearby areas to spend the day together.
Girls had their hair and makeup done and wore beautiful dresses. Boys were dressed in their very best as well! About 15 POPS students and a couple of teachers spent the whole morning decorating the room, which would soon be the dance floor, with balloons and streamers.
After all the girls’ makeup and hair were done, and the decorating was finished, all the students from the various schools arrived. While working the registration table with a few friends, I noticed that some students came into the room with wheelchairs, some couldn’t talk. Some came up to us to introduce themselves. Each student was different in many ways. But there was one thing that stuck out to me as I watched all the students enter: They all had smiles on their faces.
No matter their condition, no matter what pain they might be feeling or what situation they are facing, they were all happy. “Filled with joy” is the best way to describe it.
Thinking back on the day now, tears come to my eyes when I remember how joyful and cheery the kids were. Yet, they all had a reason to be completely unhappy. Sadly, these students are looked at as “different” in our world and sometimes get treated as outcasts. But yet, they are much happier than anyone else I know.
Why is that? One thing was for sure: They appreciate the little things in life. From what I could tell from being around them for a few hours, they weren’t concerned about what would happen later that day, that week, this year, or anything else for that matter. Instead, they were just happy to be there surrounded by other students for a dance and meal.
For myself, and I’m sure all those who were apart of helping out with the dance, I am changed and have a new perspective of life. These students taught me to have joy. No matter what situation we are in right now, there’s always something to be thankful for and there’s always something to be happy about!
Ashley Hermann,
Bonduel High School junior
