Pki Alpkli\ TkeA-Ii\ Row 1: M. Pratt,]. Cannon, H. Hunt, T. Burt, A. Elrod,]. Duggins. Row 2: K. Scherer, E. Renner, S. Boling, P. Haynie. Row 3: R. Howard, E. Bohmier, E. Reed. Row 4:]. Crawford, E. Samuelson, C. Book, K. Klein (chairman). Row 5: A. Gresham,]. Harris (sponsor), S. Green, D. Harris (co-sponsor), C. Mullen. Row 6: T. Andre, A. Mock, C. Hines, L. Smith. Row 7:]. Harper, C. Hall, M. Sharp. b~ir\~ir\~ SMILES TO children Focused on reaching out to children with exceptional needs, the Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) boasted multiple chapters across the country. Harding made its contribution this year through the establishment of its own chapter. SCEC gave aid to children with disabilities as well as their families, with activities ranging from the Special Olympics to parents' nights out, the first of which was held on Sept. 30. SCEC called the night out Respite Care and held it at the Family Life Center of Downtown Church of Christ, allowing parents some much-deserved time to themselves. Both children with disabilities and their siblings were invited to play games, do crafts, get their faces painted and just have fun being kids. "It's really nothing fancy, but the kids love it," junior Emily Welfare, president of the Harding chapter of SCEC, said. "They love to have so much space to run and play, and there really isn't much they can mess up in that big, open space [in the Family Life Center], so they get a lot of freedom that they don't normally have." Welfare played a key role in the initial reorganization of the Harding chapter after she volunteered to help and was appointed president. Although the role came with great responsibility, Welfare said the group had become a huge blessing in her life as she saw time after time just how great an impact SCEC had on the children with whom they worked. "One little boy that we are all especially fond of now recognizes the flyer for Respite Care," Welfare said. "When he sees it, he starts running in circles, celebrating and begging to come. That encourages me and tells me that we're making a difference." Allison Lincoln, vice president of the chapter, had also been inspired by her experiences volunteering with SCEC. Respite Care marked her first time interacting with special needs children, and although she initially did not know what to expect, she instantly fell in love with the work and the kids. "I think it's just a humbling experience all around," Lincoln said. "[Exceptional children] require a lot of attention and special care, but I can't think of many things more necessary, or rewarding, than spending time with people or kids that may not be just like me." SCEC continued to work to touch the lives of one special needs child at a time, their current focus being on the Respite Care nights. They all believed their time spent volunteering was irreplaceable, even if it meant making just one child smile or giving parents just a few hours of tranquility from the hustle and bustle of life. Stacy Hall Organizations f Q 5 r-.wwu
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