For the third consecutive year, Harrison High School senior Raileigh Legner has spear-headed a district-wide campaign called “Acceptance Week”, taking place March 1-5.  A volunteer with Special Olympics since she was in the 6^th grade, Legner chose this project three years ago for an independent study in her DECA class – a business-based academic track. 

In the years since, she has made Acceptance Week an annual tradition that has continued to grow.  Raileigh is working in conjunction with Hamilton County Special Olympics, making it possible for Acceptance Week to be offered at other schools. 

Various theme days highlight the week, with the goal being both to raise awareness and bring acceptance to people with disabilities within the student body and beyond. 

Monday: 
Mix Match Monday: Wear two different socks to show we are all unique in our own way. 

The meaning behind this: 

• Life would be so boring if we are all the same. But in today’s society, we are not only quick to judge one another but compare ourselves to our peers. With this theme, I want to show that it is okay to not match everyone. At the end of the day, we need to learn to love and accept ourselves for who we are. Even though this theme is such a simple thing to do, it will hopefully start to break the taboo that everyone needs to be perfect.

Tuesday: 
Tie-Dye Tuesday: Rock your tie-dye to represent all disabilities.

The meaning behind this: 

• Every awareness, cause, disability all has their own color. During Acceptance Week, we want to bring awareness to the students with intellectual disabilities and show there is no superior disability and all should be represented equally. We want to bring awareness and acceptance to ALL. So that is why we are asking you to put on your favorite tie-dye shirt, pants, hat, sweatshirt, or whatever tie-dye you have! Schools will be given tie dye kits from SOHC (if requested). We can make sure to get you these supplies prior to Acceptance week so that students have tie-dye they can wear! 

Wednesday: 
We Are One: Wear your school spirit to show your school is ONE student body. 

The meaning behind this: • It does not matter about each other’s differences. At the end of the day, we are ONE STUDENT BODY, ONE SCHOOL, ONE COMMUNITY. Together we can show everyone that we are ONE no matter what our differences may be. 

Thursday: Take the Pledge Thursday There is not a particular thing we are asking people to wear this day. (If you would like to implement something at your school please do!) We are asking for you to take the time to take the pledge to Spread the Word Inclusion.  https://www.spreadtheword.global/pledge 

The meaning behind this: 

• The day that this “theme” falls on is March 4th known as Spread the Word Inclusion Day. So, we are running this campaign to not only put an end to the “r-word” know as retarded. Many students use this word every day, but they do not really know the meaning behind this word. They just use it to joke around with their friends, but little do they know that it is a very offensive word. So, during this day we ask that you please post this link https://www.spreadtheword.global/pledge and have easy access for the staff, students, and community to pledge. 

Friday: 
Inclusion Friday: Wear anything yellow to show that you understand Awareness+ Change= ACCEPTANCE and together we can make a change.  

The meaning behind this:

 • The color yellow is what I chose when I first started Acceptance Week back in 2018. I chose yellow because when I volunteer with the Special Olympics athletes, they brighten up my day and fill my body with happiness. When I came up with the idea for Acceptance Week, I wanted to show the student body and faculty at my school how special the students with intellectual disabilities are. Most importantly I wanted to help change the student body perception towards the students with intellectual disabilities and show that they are no different than you and me. So, go grab whatever yellow you have and brighten up the people around your day!

Acceptance Week activities conclude in April, with a Fashion Show on Sunday, April 18 at 3:00 PM in the Martin Marietta Theater at the Harrison Activity Center.  Models will be students of Harrison’s Special Olympics program.  This will be the second year for the fashion show.  Beginning in the summer of 2020, Raileigh has had the opportunity to work with Marisa Conners, a participant at the Metzcor Adult Day Center.  Marisa is an up-and-coming fashion designer, developing her own adaptive clothing line.  Three of Marisa’s clothing designs will be showcased in the fashion show.