Awesome Alliances gets students to play together

Posted 6/18/22

MONTICELLO, NY — Students of all abilities had the chance to socialize, compete and have fun at the seventh Monticello High School Awesome Alliances on May 20. The event paired students based …

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Awesome Alliances gets students to play together

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MONTICELLO, NY — Students of all abilities had the chance to socialize, compete and have fun at the seventh Monticello High School Awesome Alliances on May 20. The event paired students based on their strengths and challenges, and then the two students worked together to compete against other pairs.

Usually, the event is held on the school’s athletic fields and resembles a field day. This year, courtesy of uncooperative weather, students competed in the high school’s two gyms, playing basketball, kickball, pingpong, bowling and more.

MHS special education teachers Amy Ross and Tiffany Ferris, with special education teacher assistant Eric Mabee, have been organizing Awesome Alliances since 2014, with the support of sponsors and a bevy of staff and student volunteers.

“A parent had mentioned a ‘buddy walk’ mini marathon in New York City and we thought it was a great idea to bring something similar to Monticello,” Ross said. “Some of our students struggle with socialization, and this is an opportunity to bring them together to bond and do something they all enjoy. It gives kids that connection. Before, the students would see each other in the hallways, but not know how to interact. After the event, they high-five and say hello.”

“I felt that this was a great opportunity for me to get an idea if I wanted to work with kids or people in the future,” student Chloe Birch said. “I would say my favorite part of the event was bonding with my buddy Tristan, and enjoying the vibrant energy with Luke and the people around me.

“I would like other people to know that being a part of the Awesome Alliances only for a day can have a huge impact on how you think about yourself and others.”

“When I heard what Awesome Alliances was about, I knew that I wanted to participate not only for the kids but for myself,” student Luke Norton said. “I felt it would be very rewarding… The smiles and laughs of the students made the event so very worth it.”

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