Hopedale
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From Illness to Inspiration
Ending the “R” Word Hopedale Students Spread Message of Inclusion, Acceptance By J.D. O’Gara Through words and actions, Hopedale students are spreading a message of inclusion and awareness of people with different abilities. Last month, in conjunction with the National Week to “Spread The Word To End The Word,” some members of the Student Council participated in a Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics, running a fundraiser on crowdfunding source Gofundme (gofundme. com/ngj2i4) and encouraging people to rethink using the “R” word when referring to people who have intellectual disabilities. What was once a clinical term, the “R” word has grown to be understood as derogatory. In fact, the word itself has been struck from usage by the federal government’s health, education and labor policies in a 2010 act signed by President Obama entitled “Rosa’s Law.” “The Hopedale Student Council made good use of GoFundMe.com in order to raise
Robo Arcand overcomes leukemia and focuses on future By Anne Parker
Hopedale High School students have spread a message of inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities, both in the basketball players’ (shown above) volunteering with Special Olympics and the Student Council’s “Spread the Word to End the Word” and Polar Plunge fundraiser. Photo used courtesy of Coach Anthony Cordani.
money for Special Olympics. It is in association with MASC, Massachusetts Association of Student Council, that we raise this money, and it is not only our school, but many others throughout Massachusetts that have also given support to this organization. As a demonstration of our support, we participated in the
annual Polar Plunge, for which the money was raised,” says Julia Stevens, co-head of Community Service for the Hopedale Student Council. Members of the Hopedale Basketball teams have also
inclusion
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Roland Arcand just graduated from the Boston College Men’s Basketball team last month. As senior players were honored and his teammates were called out for their role playing their final games of the season, Arcand also had his moment as they recognized him during a media time out. He was presented and honored with a framed jersey with his name by the Senior Associate Athletic Director and the Director of Basketball Operations. The 16-year-old Hopedale High sophomore has been on the court and sidelines with his team for all but one home game over the past 4 seasons. He attended practices, and team events whenever possible. He was recognized for his contributions, spirit, work ethic and friendship to the team, Robo was celebrated for his enthusiasm. Robo is also pleased to have overcome a personal challenge. He is a survivor of leukemia. Robo, as most of his school friends call him, just spent the past
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4 years on the BC basketball team as an honorary member through Team Impact.. The organization matches kids ages 5-15 who have, or have had, a life-threatening and chronic illness with a college sports team. Team Impact matched him and he demonstrated a great spirit to do the job. Team Impact is a nonprofit organization whose mission is
robo
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Robo, at right, and Olivier Hanlan, BC’s point guard (who will probably be in NBA next year).
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