Special Nipmuc Olympic Warriors (SNOW)

Emma Alcott displaying the hand-painted
tote bags that benefit SNOW

One of the best aspects of the clubs and activities at Nipmuc is that so many of our student groups are focused on providing community service. Whether participating in Pay It Forward, STAND, the Impact Team, National Honor Society, or Student Council, Nipmuc's students have continually looked for different ways to volunteer and make a positive change in their community.

One of newest clubs on the scene at Nipmuc this year shares this focus of volunteerism. The "Special Nipmuc Olympic Warriors" (SNOW), started by Emma Alcott, Amber Calzone, and Lisa Slavin and advised by paraprofessional Tiffany Cote, is a student group that provides support for the Special Olympics. As members of SNOW, students will have the chance to work together with students in our VISTA and STAR programs in volunteer and support the Special Olympics.

We are fortunate to have students who often look for ways to stay connected to those students who face different learning challenges. Emma Alcott is a great example of student who has enjoyed the chance to develop friendships with students in our VISTA program. One of the ways that Emma has done this is by combining her passion for art education and her love of working with our students. Last year, she completed a year-long project in which she worked with students in the VISTA program, teaching them weekly lessons in art and developing meaningful relationships with them. Named after the block in our schedule that they met each day, Emma and the "A Gang" put together a series of art projects that we proudly displayed in our front lobby last year.

This year Emma is continuing her work with the "A Gang" by designing Nipmuc Warrior tote bags. The reusable cloth bags were each hand-painted by students in the "A-Gang" as part of one of their art projects. They are available in our school store for $5 each.

One of the projects that Emma, Amber, Lisa and the members of SNOW are taking on this year is volunteering at the Special Olympics flag football event to be held at Gillette Stadium. Our group from SNOW will design the paper signs that members of the football teams will burst through as they make their way from the locker room onto the field at Gillette. The money that SNOW and the "A-Gang" are raising through the selling of tote bags will help to purchase supplies for this activity and to provide transportation to the event.

Great job Emma, Amber, Lisa, Ms. Cote, and all of the members of SNOW!