'. ' I ~· . I SCEC Helps the disabled be all they can be in society today This year Harding's Student Council for Exceptional Children devoted time and energy to carrying out their mission to encourage, enhance and empower children and you th with disabilities to obtain their greatest potential. This is the seventh year for the student chapter at Harding. "The great thing about this organization is that you don't have to be in a certain major to be a member, you just have to love children," Dr. Jan Morgan, director of mid-level and teacher education, said. The SCEC members' main goal was to raise the awareness of the public to the value, worth and abilities of children and youth with disabilities. This year, the SCEC helped with district and state Special Olympics, an international program of yearround sports training and athletic competition for more than one million children and adults with mental retardation. This program helped children and adults to improve physical fitness and motor skills, gain self-confidence and to have a more positive image. "Our main purpose is to change peoples' attitude about the disabled and remember that they are people first," Morgan said. This year, the SCEC also held bake sales, a walk-a-thon and an auction of children's art. Members also coordinated holiday parties during Halloween and Valentine's Day for disabled children. Some of the money raised from these events helped members of the SCEC go to the national convention that was held in Kansas City, Mo. "This convention is always very beneficial," Morgan said. "It gives us a chance to share ideas and connect with other chapters around the nation." -Donda Burright Senior Robin Marshall reads a story to children at the Sunshine School as part of an SCEC service project. Club members often worked with the school's special-needs students. Photo by Andrea Waters Sophomore Kacy Fridell and senior Margaret Willis, members of Students Advancing Learning and Teaching, an education organization, work together to make gift baskets for teacher appreciation day. U) Qi ro Junior SALT members Natalie Young and Becky Perkins help create and package ~ baskets to be sent to all the school teachers in the Searcy area as an appreciation ~ project. ~ 212 organizations >- .0 0 0 .c a_ Photo by Daniel Dubois
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