By Rylie Childers
They are more than just a face you see in the hallways. Although that face may not be in all or even any of your classes, they aren’t much different than your average Joe.
Most of them actually do many of the same things that you would do with your friends such as ride your bike, play games and more.
Thirteen mild, moderate and severe special-needs students are in class with Mr. Shane Conley and Mr. Tyler Harris. They spend much of the day in Rooms 110-111 and sometimes are in other classrooms throughout the day.
Even though they might do some of the same things as you, it takes a special person to build a bond with them like some students at Delta High School have.
“They really are all my little best friends,” sophomore peer tutor Lola Martin said.
She says that joining this class has been a very “eye opening experience” for her.
While most kids look forward to going to school to see their friends, some look forward to their peer tutoring class more than anything.
The peer tutors have grown to become close with all the kids and have built strong relationships with them. Whether they are taking this class for fun or to help shape their futures, they think this class is a fit for anyone.
“Even if they don’t want to be a teacher or anything with special needs kids, I think it’s good for kids our age to see what other people are experiencing,” sophomore Hayden Garrett said. “You don’t know what position you’re going to be put in when you’re older and who you’re going to be around or if your own kids could have disabilities, so I think it’s just important to see that everyone’s the same.”
To help you get to know more about each of the special-needs students, we asked them a few questions.
Breauna Amerson, Sophomore
Q – What’s your favorite part of the day?
A – When Nolan’s here.
Q – What’s your favorite class?
A – Conley’s class.
Q – What’s your favorite school lunch?
A – Nachos.
Vilija Bradford, Junior
Q – What do you like doing outside of school?
A – Play outside.
Q – What’s your favorite part of the day?
A – I like going to the MACC..
Q – What’s your favorite school lunch?
A – Pizza.
Kieran Brown, Sophomore
Q – What do you like doing outside of school?
A – Playing.
Q – What do you like to play?
A – NBA 2K26.
Q – Who are your friends in this class?
A – Ruth and Kaden.
Q – What do you like about them?
A – They’re really nice.
Wyatt Callow, Junior
Q – Who’s your friend in this class, and what do you like about them?,
A – Haley Davis, because she’s funny, and she’s nice, and I’ve known her for a long time.
Q – What’s your favorite class or subject?
A – Social studies.
Q – What do you like about it?
A – Because it talks about history.
Q – What do you like doing outside of school?
A – Woodworking.
Q – What do you like doing when you woodwork?
A – Making walking sticks.
Hailey Davis, Junior
Q – What’s your favorite part of the day?
A – Math.
Q – What do you like doing in math?
A – Adding.
Q – What’s your favorite school lunch?
A – Stuffed breadsticks.
Q – Who’s your friend in this class, and what do you like about them?
A – Wyatt, he’s so nice.
Bethany Hovis, Senior
Q – What do you like to do outside of school?
A – Diamond painting, walking, and riding bikes.
Q – What’s your favorite class or subject?
A – Painting because I can express myself.
Q – Who’s your friend in this class, and what do you like about them?
A – Haley Whitt, Hailey Davis, and Wyatt. They are caring, they are sweet. They are always there for me.
Rebecca Koontz, Sophomore
Q – What’s your favorite school lunch?
A – Mozzarella sticks, chocolate milk, and peaches.
Q – What’s your favorite class?
A – Conley and Harris’s class.
Q – What do you like doing outside of school?
A – Playing outside.
Q – What do you like to play outside?
A – Ball.
Rosa Krzemienski, Sophomore
*Rosa is non-verbal. Her answers are assisted by Mr. Conley.
Q – What do you like to do at home? Do you like to ride your bike?
A – Yes.
Q – What class do you like the best? Do you like math or reading?
A – Reading.
Q – Who’s your friend in this class?
A – You’re pretty much friends with everybody, aren’t you? Are you friends with everybody? Yes.
Rylan Stone, Sophomore
Q – What’s your favorite part of the day?
A – Night, because I get to sleep.
Q – Who’s your favorite teacher, and why?
A – Mr. Conley, because he is my homeroom teacher.
Q – What’s your schedule at Delta like?
A – Conley, Detweiler, Jackson, and Mr. Kemp.
Q – What’s your favorite school lunch?
A – Bosco Sticks.
Travis Thomas, Sophomore
Q – What do you like doing outside of school?
A – Running around the track outside.
Q – Do you have any other friends in this class other than Alivia?
A – Alaina.
Q – What do you like about them?
A – They’re twins.
Q – What’s your favorite part of the day?
A – Night and going to my grandma’s.
Collin Vance, Senior
Q – Who do you like to hang out with at school?
A – Conley.
Q – What do you like doing in gym class?
A – Walking.
Q – What do you like to do outside of school?
A – Playing games.
Q – Do you like playing Uno?
A – Yeah.
Haley Whitt, Freshman
Q – What do you like doing outside of school?
A – Usually around spring or summer, we ride bikes and go on the trampoline next door. When it’s warm outside.
Q – What’s your favorite part of the day?
A – My favorite part of the day is probably working hard.
Q – What is your favorite school lunch?
A – I just brought my Bento box.
Noah Wilson, Freshman
Q – What’s your favorite part of the day?
A – Math.
Q – Who do you like to hang out with at school?
A – Wyatt.
Q – What’s your favorite class?
A – Gym.
