1. Cala Pope: Hi, my name is Cala. I am a member of the Meet in the Middle Club. Our goal is to learn how to treat everyone with respect, regardless of our individual differences. Words like “retard” and “retarded” are NOT in our vocabulary. Today we hope you will join us in taking the pledge to Erase the R word from yours as well.<br />A VOICE FROM A DREAMChoir Ensemble<br />I AM (Outdoors)Video Clip #1<br />Raul Bernal:Sometime people make fun of me because of the way I talk. That hurts my feelings and makes me mad. My name is Raul. DON’T call me the “R” word.<br />Jonathan Rodgers:Hi, my name is Jonathan. Each week at our meetings we present projects we have completed, both alone and with friends of all abilities. Cala and I developed a website, some have read books about individuals with intellectual disabilities, and others have done some on-line research. One week we were fortunate enough to have Kirby Langseth come and speak to us. He has a brother with a handicapping condition. He is here today to share his story with you.<br />KEYNOTE SPEAKERKirby Langseth<br />Kelly Wacker: Hi, I’m Kelly. I have been working to put together a play demonstrating some of the ways we have all been guilty of using the “R” word. Some of these are casual, friendly uses while others are not so nice. Nonetheless, it is NEVER appropriate to use the “R” word. Have you ever used it in one of these ways?<br />SCENE 1 -Cafeteria<br />Brandon Gonzalez:When I am in the cafeteria eating with friends, I can’t imagine them using the “R” word around me. Think how that would make me feel. My name is Brandon. DON’T call me the “R” word.<br />SCENE 2 - Classroom<br />Jacob Seisdedos:My friends and I all go to classes with each of you. We can’t imagine them using the “R” word around us. Thank how that would make me feel. My name is Jacob. DON’T call me the “R” word.<br />SCENE 3 - Hallway<br />Jazmyn Crooms:When I am in the hall getting to and from my classes, it is always crowded and crazy. People bump into each other all the time, but I can’t imagine them using the “R” word around me. Think how that would make me feel. My name is Jazmyn. DON’T call me the “R” word.<br />SCENE 4 - Restaurant<br />Arhely Quiroga:My sister has an intellectual disability. She is a beautiful girl and a Special Olympics Athlete. Her name is Anna Karen. DON’T call her the “R” word.<br />Teach (Outdoors)Video Clip #2<br />Patterson: Hi, I am Mrs. Patterson and this is my class. We are a group of very special students who love to laugh, listen to music and hang out with friends. Each of these students has a name. DON’T call the the “R” word.<br />Tomorrow during lunch you will have a chance to join each of us on this stage in taking a pledge to eliminate the “R” word from our own vocabulary. We also hope you will teach your families and friends to do the same. We took the pledge already. Tomorrow is your chance to:<br />ERASE THE “R” WORD!<br />