Making new friends and connecting with others is an often anticipated problem with starting highschool. At PLHS the all inclusive group Circle of Friends, works to fight that issue and make all students feel welcomed and supported.
Senior Audra Demory has been a part of the group for the past four years, and also during her 7th and 8th grade year. For her, Circle of Friends helps her get involved with people she might not have met if she wasn’t a part of the group.
“I think that there can be a lot of struggle for some people to find friendships, and feel included,” Demory said. “I really think it’s a good opportunity for us to make sure that everyone feels like they have someone that they can talk to.”
Recently on Dec. 3, the group participated in their yearly tradition, a “Friendsgiving” with students from Papillion-La Vista South High School in celebration of Thanksgiving.
“We did multiple activities like Christmas music bingo, built gingerbread houses and even watched Christmas movies,” junior Henry Hernandez said.
Hernandez has been a part of the group since his freshman year and finds that the group has been a special and fun environment for him to make new friends and new memories.
“Circle of Friends brings more people together and as far as community wise, our General Education and Special Education don’t mix all the time,” Circle of Friends Advisor Schuyler Emde said. “But now that we have the group we are able to get out and do things with both sides of the spectrum for all students.”
Even though it may be an anticipated problem, Circle of Friends is advocating and bringing more inclusive friendship across PLHS.
![Senior Allison Campbell smiles in front of the stage. “I became a fan of her after [she opened] for Olivia Rodrigo,” Campbell said.](https://plpulse.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/0-900x1200.jpg)
