On October 2, Norwin students from Interact Club and Peer Mentor and Buddy Club attended the annual You’ve Got a Friend day at Twin Lakes Park. Students from a number of other schools in and around the Pittsburgh area were buddied up with functional needs students to spend the day. The event featured a number of fun activities for people to bond over and beautiful scenery for everyone to enjoy as they formed new friendships and got to learn more about one another throughout the day.
Paddling boats and fishing are consistently featured at You’ve Got a Friend Day yearly while activities such as carnival rides are newer.
“I feel that our peers here help them feel included by making them feel safe, making them a part of things, and helping out,” said Mrs. Tiffany Haraburda, Peer Mentor Club adviser.
At the event with their buddies, the students bond together while participating in featured activities such as a petting zoo, carnival rides, a stage with music, hayrides, fishing, and paddle boating. You’ve Got a Friend Day ensures that there is something for everyone and their buddies to do together.
“[I like] being lead by the kid rather than me leading them,” said senior Addi Baer, treasurer of Peer Mentor & Buddy Club. “I get to see what their interests are.”
The event “keeps togetherness and gets the kids excited about doing something outside the school,” said Haraburda.
While You’ve Got a Friend Day is still inclusive and fun for students, there were a few drawbacks to the fun-filled day.
“It was very open,” Baer pointed out. “There was nowhere to calm down and the entire place was long lines and loud noises.”
Baer also added that while the event could be considered accessible for “higher-functioning” students, it was difficult for others who required more assistance.
Inclusion and fun are both major components of You’ve Got a Friend Day, but the event also provides an opportunity for special needs students to go out, have new experiences, and bond with new people.
“You get to meet new kids, get to include them, and know more about them and what they’re into,” senior Peer Mentor Club president Nick Patter said.
You’ve Got A Friend Day is not just about friendship and inclusion, though. The event is also about helping the community understand and have empathy for those with different needs.
“[You’ve Got a Friend Day] helps the community understand that there are different disabilities and these students all have different needs just like you and I,” said Mrs. Haraburda.
