By Zainie Qureshi
Managing Editor
Photo by Alexis Rizzi

Best buddies. Special Olympics. Peer Partners. Now, we have another opportunity to add to the list, DiveHeart. Metea Valley’s continuous efforts to keep the Special Education community included with the school has had yet another fun event to take part in.

Peer Partners joined up with DiveHeart, an organization geared towards working with kids, adults, and veterans with disabilities and providing them with opportunities they might otherwise not have received, to come to the Metea pool and work with the kids throughout the day with their partners. “They want to show the partners just how much they can really do on their own and give them the chance to do an activity they never even thought they could do on their own. Peer Partners member,” Kate Danko said.

Peer Partners means a lot to everyone involved, and they work hard at bringing everyone together and providing the special needs community with all the opportunities possible. “The special education community should be just as well recognized as and other, [and] they should be able to experience the same activities we can through the school,” Danko said.  

Not only has Peer Partners helped those with disabilities, but it’s also had a great impact on their partners too. “Being a Peer Partner means so much to me,” Danko said. “It has by far been my most fulfilling class I’ve taken at Metea. It allows both us and our partners to build friendships, and it’s really beneficial to everyone to have that bond and a little family to trust in and have fun with everyday!”

Peer Partners has had a major impact on Metea, and is growing each year. More and more people are becoming involved with the program and are taking part in keeping our school the positive place it is. In fact, there’s so many more kids interested, that due to the select number of positions available, it’s no guarantee that everyone will be accepted. Although, those who aren’t accepted are still highly encouraged to take part in the other clubs that are open to everyone, such as Best Buddies and Special Olympics. “Those are some awesome clubs that have just as much to offer, if not more, than Peer Partners does,” Danko said. “Just because you don’t get accepted your junior year doesn’t mean you won’t in your senior year. You can always apply again!”