FEDERAL
WAY HIGH SCHOOL TAKES THE LEAD TO
“SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD” WEDNESDAY
MARCH 3RD
SEATTLE - On March 3rd thousands
of Special Olympics athletes, Unified Partners®
and high school students across the United States
participated in several events to challenge and
educate our society about the hurtful use of the
word “retard” and encourage others
to think before they speak.
In Washington State, students of the Federal Way
School District formed the Youth Activation Committee
(YAC) and took the lead in staging the states
first ever “Spread the Word to End the Word”
campaign, on March 3rd, at the Federal Way High
School, in the “Eagles Nest” gymnasium
.
Students read a proclamation issued
by Washington State Governor, Christine Gregoire,
proclaiming March 3rd “Spread the Word to
End the Word Day” in Washington State and
a proclamation by Federal Way Mayor Linda Kochmar,
declaring March 3, 2010 “SPREAD THE WORD
TO END THE WORD” “ERASE THE R-WORD
DAY” in Federal Way.
The YAC scheduled a twenty- minute
school assembly with approximately 150 students
attending, promoting the inclusion of students
with intellectual disabilities and educating students
about the harmful effects of using the “r
word”.
The assembly featured Special Olympics
Washington athlete John Emmett and Unified Partner
Tyler Bjork who spoke about the hurtful effects
of using the words “retard” or “retarded”.
Throughout the day, students,
faculty and staff and the school community were
asked to take the pledge online at www.r-word.org,
or by signing a pledge sheet. Tallies of pledges
from the event will be available later in the
week, as supporters strive to reach 1,000 pledges.
In addition, Decatur, Beamer and
Federal Way high schools set up tables at during
the lunch hour where students stopped and signed
the pledge to end the r word.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Bill Southern,
Outreach & Public Affairs Director
206-829-7083; Email
or
Doria Hastings, Project UNIFY
Coordinator
206-829-7074; Email
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