CAPTION: Tri-legged “capture the pumpkin” teammates Nick Schoch, middle , 13, and Ben Stevick, 15, right, mingle with other classmate who wound up in “jail.” Ben, who has Downs Syndrome is able to play PE games and attend class with his peers because he has been included into normal 8th grade classroom settings at St. Mary’s Catholic Middle School. However, Catholic High Schools are typically geared towards college preparation which may order difficulties if Pallotti High School attempted to include Ben.

This was from a story about inclusion. …inclusion of kids like Ben Stevick who have Downs Syndrome in classroom activities at private schools. Specifically, what happens to the children who are included after middle school.

I made this image back in 2004, when I was an intern, and to this day I’m still in awe of its symbolism. Even though his classmates accept and like Ben he’s still not included socially. Nick Schoch, on the left, in the foreground, is paired with Ben. If I remember correctly, they were paired together often. But Nick has friends. Acceptance of peers has a strong gravitational pull. So, I wasn’t too surprised when I saw Nick turn his back on Ben to talk with his friends. Ben was just left all by himself.

Now, having said that, I’m a big fan of these kinds of programs. — as long as the kids being included aren’t dangerous. I think both the classroom majority and those being included can learn a lot from each other, but I think this picture really captures the reality of the social dynamics at play. Middle schoolers are gonna be middle schoolers.

The 10am Update is a regular feature highlighting some of the better work from my archives.