The south-of-the-border atmosphere at a recent fiesta for Greenbrier High School's Buddy Club might have seemed out of the ordinary. The camaraderie between the club members, though, was not.
The Buddy Club was started about 10 years ago to support social activities between special-needs and regular-education students.
"This is a wonderful way for everybody to be included. They become friends during the course of the year," said Betsy Barrs, a Greenbrier special services teacher. "It just really opens the door for my students into the mainstream."
Kelley Nihill, a special services teacher and club sponsor, said she hoped 35 regular-education students would join the club this year. Instead, she said, 70 signed up.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 guarantees students with disabilities the right to be educated with their peers to the maximum extent appropriate. But Ms. Nihill said activities such as the Buddy Club benefit all students.
"It gives the regular-ed kids the opportunity to learn that these are teenagers just like them," she said. "They listen to the same music. They wear the same clothes."
Sophomore Kayla Norman said she joined the club because her 8-year-old brother, Gerard, is a special-needs pupil.
She and sophomore Lauren Marshall organized a bake sale to raise money for the food and decorations for the fiesta.
"I have learned a lot of leadership skills, and I've also learned how to accept people for who they are," Lauren said.
One of Ms. Barr's students, Owen Zylla, played the drums at the fiesta. His mother, Ruth Garrison, who watched him, said the interaction was invaluable for the special-education students.
"I think it saves these kids' lives," she said. "It just gives them a sense of community and belonging and friends. Often, they don't get that in the neighborhoods."
At Harlem High School, special-education students are helping with a schoolwide recycling project. They also take electives such as drama, art and JROTC in the regular education classes.
Melanie Lumpkin, a learning specialist at Harlem, said she wants the interaction to give her special-education students socialization skills and exposure to people who don't have disabilities.
"The world is not made up of people with disabilities," she said.
In addition, Ms. Lumpkin said, "A lot of the behaviors in my classroom don't happen in regular ed. Typically, when they come in (a regular-education classroom), they want their behavior to be like everyone else's."
Harlem drama teacher Roy Lewis said the special-education students have painted scenery, made props and starred in drama club productions.
"We don't look at people's limitations and lack of abilities," he said. "We look at what they can contribute in a positive way and get them busy."
Harlem junior Desiree Martinez, 16, has spent time with the special-education students in drama and art classes.
"They're really a joy to work with because they have an innocence that you don't see a lot of in other high school students," she said.
Asked what he liked about drama class, senior Elliot Murer, 19, smiled shyly.
"What about your friends?" asked Laura Rushing, 17, extending her arms widely.
Mr. Murer gave his fellow Harlem High senior a hug.
"They are good friends," he said.
Reach Betsy Gilliland at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113,or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.
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