VICKSBURG, Miss. —Students and faculty from Warren Central High School came together on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, for a vibrant day of games, laughter, and unity, hosting a special field day to celebrate and support the school’s special education students alongside their peers.
The event, organized through a collaboration between the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, Future Teachers of America, student government, and several staff volunteers, featured a variety of stations, including face painting, relay races, balloon games, tabletop challenges, and more. The goal was to foster social development and build meaningful relationships between general and special education students.
“This is about getting them together on a social level,” said Arlean Smith, a special education teacher at Warren Central. “Our special ed students don’t always get to go out and be in certain social situations, so this kind of event puts them around their peers and helps them learn how to interact. At the same time, it teaches our general ed students to understand and appreciate their classmates.”
Students from Vicksburg High School’s Special Education Department, the Midwest Shelter Workshop, and even local junior high students were invited to participate.
Theresa Bell, a senior English teacher and Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy advisor, said the field day stemmed from a service-learning project within the leadership club.
“We wanted to honor our special needs community with a day of fun,” Bell said. “Our students chose this as their spring project, and they took ownership—from planning the games to organizing snacks. It’s important they learn that service is how we show we are all one family, regardless of differences.”
One of those student leaders, Bailey Rebert, helped coordinate games and refreshments. “Working with the special needs students reminds me not to take anything for granted,” she said. “They’re so sweet, and I really enjoy spending time with them.”
Bell emphasized that the event’s success was made possible through teamwork among staff and students. “It wasn’t just me—it was the help of other teachers like Coach Cory Wilson, Mr. Terry Wong, and Ms. Smith who made this possible,” she said.
As music played and students cheered through races and relays, the spirit of inclusion and compassion was evident across the campus grounds.
“This is what community looks like,” Smith added. “This is how you build lifelong understanding.”