Bucks connect with Waynedale HS to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Month

Bucks connect with Waynedale HS to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Month
Dave Mast

The Holmes County Bucks roll through a banner created by the Waynedale High School cheerleaders as part of their celebration day on March 15 for National Board of Developmental Disabilities Month.

                        

With Holmes County celebrating National Developmental Disabilities Month in March, Waynedale High and Middle School invited the Holmes County Bucks, the Holmes County Training Center’s basketball team, to join them for a day of basketball and unity on Friday, March 15 at Waynedale High School.

Unlike most basketball games, the final score in this one was irrelevant. The Holmes County Bucks came away the winner on the scoreboard, but everyone walked out of the gymnasium at Waynedale High School having won because of the incredible attitude of caring and acceptance that was shown by the Waynedale High and Middle School student body during the game.

Cheering for the Bucks rather than the hometown Gold and Brown, the student body went above and beyond in making the Bucks feel like basketball royalty.

“It’s important because some of the Bucks go to our school, and it’s neat to see them come here and play,” said Waynedale sophomore Katie Frederick, who also said they made signs to cheer on the Bucks and the entire student body got behind them from the moment they took the floor as they ran through the giant Bucks sign the cheerleaders made. “It’s really heartwarming to see everyone having such a great time for such a good cause.”

This marks the second year the school has invited the Board of DD to join them, something both the school and the training center believe is great for all parties involved.

“It is amazing to see the support Waynedale gives us,” events coordinator Kim Miller of the Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities said. “Our Bucks love this day. It’s important for them to have opportunities like this to branch out into the community. We will also be visiting Killbuck Elementary to share some stories with the children there later this month."

Waynedale High and Middle School guidance counselor Jennifer Troyer said exposing the student body to the training center clients and to everything they can and have achieved is crucial to the ongoing connection between community and the center.

“It’s a worthwhile experience for our kids just to see what everyone is capable of,” Troyer said. “When you look around in here, you couldn’t wipe smiles off of students' faces. We have enjoyed the opportunity to help make the home-school connection between our students and the members there. Dane Morrison and Julian Mast went to school here, and having them play here along with the rest of the Bucks was nice. A big part of this is making that connection happen and understanding the impact this kind of thing can have on a community as far as driving acceptance. It is a total group effort that everyone benefits from.”

In addition to the game, the student body heard the singing of the national anthem by Board of DD client Charlie while Aaron signed. At halftime the crowd quieted down to listen to Betty, a Board of DD client whose story could be anyone’s story.

One moment Betty was a normal college kid driving along without a care in life. Moments later, following a horrific crash, she was thrown from her car, having suffered major brain damage.

Today Betty’s only mode of communication is through her talker, which has become a popular communication device at the Board of DD. She shared her story with the students, and their respect for her was shown through the absolute quiet that enveloped the gym.

In addition to the entire Waynedale High and Middle School student body and staff, there were other community members including parents and caretakers of the Bucks players.

“This is the greatest thing ever,” said Carrie Morrison, mother of Dane Morrison, a 2018 graduate of Waynedale High School who plays for the Bucks and who seemingly has befriended every single student at WHS. “The Bucks can’t play on a typical basketball team, so for them to get this opportunity — and especially to Dane to play in front of all of his friends — it means so much to each of them, and it means a lot to me as a parent. It makes my heart happy, and it makes my face hurt from smiling so much. It is such a blessing to see the students here embrace the guys and accept them.”

“When I was in school, the developmentally disabled kids were hidden away and out on their own,” bus driver Deb Hendricks said. “It’s nice to see that has changed and we are now experiencing more acceptance and involvement. I think every single kid should experience the joy that goes on at this event.”

And for the record, the Bucks won the game, amidst plenty of cheers, jabs at the Golden Bears players from the head coach and the day’s emcee Kevin Stacy, and a gymnasium full of smiles, laughs and memories.


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