Special education students had their chance to shine in the spotlight at a recent variety show.
Sophia Angele has been involved in Naperville North’s Council of Exceptional Children since her freshman year. Recently she got to emcee the club’s variety show.
“Putting a spotlight on the kids who don’t usually get it,” said Angele. “It’s just exciting to see them really blossom and take control of who they are. I’m just doing it really for them, more than for myself.”
For the last 8 years, CEC has put on their own variety show, giving special education students a chance to bring out their confidence and passions.
Singing, dancing, and even a Star Wars battle showed an audience of family and friends what the students could accomplish after just one month of rehearsing.
“It’s awesome. It’s the total integration that you want to see special needs people integrated within the general population. Just being a part of every day life and that’s what it’s all about here at the variety show,” said Clare Severson, a special education teacher at Naperville North and co-sponsor of CEC.
The variety show doubles as a fundraiser for a chosen organization, this year’s being the Swifty Foundation which funds pediatric cancer research and awareness.
It’s an organization with a special tie to the school – as it was founded for Michael Gustafson, a Naperville North student who passed away from that disease in 2013.
The variety show raised almost $900 for the Swifty Foundation.
Naperville News 17’s Christine Lena reports.
