Over five dynamic days, MWMS students and staff celebrated Capabilities Week, complete with activities designed to promote inclusion and celebrate diversity throughout their school community. They participated in themed days by wearing favorite shoes, shirts and hats that helped students identify shared interests. During daily lunch periods, an array of activities provided students with opportunities to view people from various perspectives, promoting a deeper understanding of diversity through different lenses.
M-W alumna Allison Murphy spoke to the 7th grade students, imparting valuable insights on the importance of acceptance and urging against judging others based on appearances. During her presentation, Allison talked about the obstacles she faced growing up and how she didn’t believe in herself. She emphasized that, no matter what obstacles she faced, she achieved everything she hoped for. Allison graduated from MWHS with a Regents diploma and won 14 scholarships and two awards, including the NYS Attorney General Triple C award for Character, Courage, and Commitment as well as the first-ever Crusader Spirit Award.
At the end of her presentation, Allison shared one of her favorite quotes by Karen Clay: “The severity of one’s disability does not determine their level of potential. The greatest barriers that persons with disabilities have to overcome are not steps or curbs, it’s expectations.” Following her presentation, Allison opened up a discussion where students asked her questions and shared stories.. Students and staff alike learned important life lessons during Capabilities Week at MWMS.
