by Braden Berg (for Ozarks Sports Zone)
SPRINGFIELD — Here in Week 2, many of our schools are celebrating their home opener.
At Kickapoo, the Chiefs head coach wanted to make sure that rush of running onto the field, and being a part of the pregame festivities was shared by some students who haven’t had the chance.
Several high school special education students at Kickapoo were given the title of honorary captain’s for tonight’s football game.
“We do a little thing here it is called the super chief assembly, the entire student body is in there with Ms. Cormack’s class. It just got us thinking program wise how we could give back.” said Kickapoo head football coach Nate Thomas.
“He emailed and said hey, I want to do something to honor these kids and to show regardless what people think they can’t do, they really can do.” said Scarlet Cormack, a special education teacher at Kickapoo high school. “I cried. I cried and I will probably cry again tonight. Because in the field of special ed you see a lot of people look and stare and don’t bother to think about what they can do.”
The special education students and the senior football players have been getting to know each other throughout the week.
“The other day we had a dance party, the kids were having so much fun and we were having fun and just hanging out. It was awesome.” said Kickapoo senior football player Adam Tyson.
“One of our jobs is to clean up the tables during the day, and they helped pick up the trash. And so it was understood that they aren’t above, the football players aren’t above my kids and my kids are not below the football players.” said Cormack.
“It is nice to see them that they are able to be accepted. He may not ever be able to play, but at least to be out here and experience this, to be out on the field with the players. And have the guys take the time to include them, even if it is just for a little bit, that is life changing. Not only for him but I feel like it could be for them as well.” said Mike Shepherd, father of one of the special education students able to participate.
It was a special gesture for an unforgettable night.
“It changes people that watch it, and it changes our students too. It gives them a little bit of belonging. And when they feel that they belong, they truly know that they belong more than I could ever teach and tell.” said Cormack.
