One of the hidden gems at West High, Community Inclusion Club focuses on finding opportunities for people with disabilities to connect with their non-disabled peers. Whether that’s through events or day-to-day interactions, the Community Inclusion Club helps bring together our school community.
After moving away from the nationwide club called Best Buddies during the pandemic, Steve Merkle and students from West rebuilt and formed their own club; Community Inclusion Club. With both clubs having similar motives and goals, Merkle found the Community Inclusion Club to be a better fit for West High during the pandemic and never transitioned back.
Steve Merkle, a special education specialist at West High, is the main force behind the Community Inclusion Club. Merkle’s daily schedule involves one-on-one interaction with students and paraeducators. Through group activities and even music classes, Merkle finds ways to keep students engaged within the club.
The most well-known event held by the Community Inclusion Club is the teacher’s and student’s basketball game. Although the date is undecided as of now, Merkle hopes the game will take place after the basketball season ends.
However, that’s not the only event held by the club. The club participated in the homecoming parade and will hold a talent show later on in the year. The date is also undecided. During the holiday season, Merkle aims to take part in candy grams for West High. Part of the reason the club can hold these events is due to the high student involvement.
“When we have our big events, kids show up,” Merkle said.
Sadly, the original students who helped bring the Community Inclusion Club to West in 2022 have since graduated. Merkle expresses interest in advertising and hopefully bringing new students into the club and organizing more events.
Currently, the Community Inclusion Club faces an uncertain future. With no student leadership, fewer events are happening. “We just don’t have that core group of kids that are really interested. I believe sooner or later, that group will come along and it’ll take off again.” Merkle said.
With little student involvement, the club is unable to partake in monthly events like before. The next step for the club is to recruit new members to grow its numbers.
“Once you get that group of kids together, then they start brainstorming, and things take off, and it gets more active,” Merkle said.
Hopes of new student involvement in the club spark new beginnings and more events in the future.
