McFriends bridges social barriers at McGuffey
Camden Fletcher, a senior at McGuffey High School and president of McFriends, a group that pairs students with special needs students, speaks to members about future events the group will be having.
Jeremy Wilson, left, a ninth-grade student at McGuffey High School, interacts with his buddy, Jesse Newton, a senior, after a meeting of McFriends at McGuffey High School.
Jacob Durila, left, a senior at McGuffey High School, jokes with his buddy, Austin Cole, also a senior, after a meeting of McFriends at McGuffey High School.
Inclusion. That was McGuffey senior Camden Fletcher’s goal for his fellow students when he formally organized McFriends, a club that encourages relationships between traditional students and students with special needs.
“In elementary school, I had speech issues,” Fletcher said. “I remember kids looking at me differently. So, I took (the club) personally. I wanted to make a difference because I know how it feels.”
Fletcher’s McFriends is already making an impact at the high school.
Since the club’s official launch in October, Jamie Bobik’s special-needs students no longer look to her for social interaction and companionship.
“They are much more social in the halls and are more age-appropriate with their greetings,” Bobik, a life skills support teacher, said. “They are acting like teenagers, and I love it. The formalization of this group has been a wonderful thing.”
Principal Mark Bonus said McFriends aligns with the district’s core belief in a “system in which each student brings different strengths to the table.” Social interactions are an important part of this belief.
“We need to make sure that we bridge the social gap between students,” he said. “Social development should not be underestimated. It impacts happiness and success.”
Bonus said an informal version of McFriends was around for several years, but it lacked fundamental aspects, like peer mentors and a planning committee, that make the current version a success.
More than 30 high school and middle school students participate, and the district hopes to introduce the club in the elementary schools. Club members bond over varying activities, including bowling and a movie night.
Fletcher participated with the informal group for several years before making McFriends his senior project in the fall.
He believes the program has longevity, which is why each student with special needs has two or more “buddies” in varying grade levels.
“I want to break the social barriers between students,” he said.
Administrators and teachers believe the club benefits everyone involved, and they can see changes in both groups of students.
Megan Van Fossan, director of special education and McFriends advisor, said the increased interaction “increases the quality of life” for many of the students.
“It means so much to them being involved,” she said.
Jesse Newton, a senior, said the club made him more comfortable with others who may appear different from himself.
“Once you find that common ground, then you can forget there ever was a social barrier,” he said.
The reality of Newton’s words was apparent when watching him interact with his buddy, Jeremy Wilson. Wilson, a freshman with autism, transferred to McGuffey last year after being bullied at another district. The pair complement each other and even share a special handshake.
“Jesse (and another buddy) are my best friends. We eat lunch together and talk,” Wilson said. “It makes me happy. I transferred from (Washington School District). I didn’t like it. There were bullies. But not here. I like it here. I have friends.”