WHS students show pride

Every high school has sports teams and other groups who show their team spirit by wearing matching shirts or uniforms. Research has shown that students who feel connected to school do better academically and are also less likely to become involved with risky health behaviors. Uniforms also give children a sense of cohesion and help build a team spirit and unity. Cohesion as a group is a dynamic that occurs when members of the team work together and make a united effort to accomplish the goals and objectives of the whole.

Dennis Litchfield is a Special Education teacher at Wakulla High School. He has been teaching for approximately 15 years. His class is composed of a group of students who seek to find their place within a community of competitors and achievers. In the perception of Litchfield's' special students, being a part of a team seemed like such a privilege, something to aspire toward. On a daily basis these students are faced with many challenges and to finally be noticed for just being themselves, in a special group setting comes as a big reward.

A member of our community approached Dennis asking if they could help in some way. They wanted to do something that would increase student ability or individual pride. This person wanted to remain anonymous yet give a gift of the heart that could personally change each student's level of happiness during the joyous time of the holiday season.

This person donated specialty designed, personal sweatshirts embroidered with their name and Wakulla High School for each student and their teacher. Litchfield welcomed the kind gesture and with the assistance and creative efforts of Team Sports Academy these beautiful sweatshirts were purchased and to each of his students a smile was born. These students could not afford to purchase the shirts so the gift came as a very special surprise. The uniformity has created cohesiveness within the classroom and warmth during this cold season as well.

These children are a part of our community and a piece of our future adult generation in Wakulla County. In the classroom the students learn basic skills as a team, such as preparing food together, and with their newfound team spirit they confidently accept daily challenges and make the best of their individual situations. A positive environment with leaders and other peers can lead to great individual success. As M.D. Boyer once said, "Not all are blessed with great ability, but with teamwork and perseverance, all can accomplish great things.