SOUTH FORSYTH — The Sawnee-Cumming Optimist Club recently sponsored an "Expressing My Passion" program for students with special needs. 

John Arant, special education teacher, coordinated the program, which was held at South Forsyth High School. 

According to a news release from the club, 18 students prepared storyboards and presentations about what they like most.  Parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, student aids, friends, and club members attended. 

In a statement, Arant said the special needs students at South are assisted by general education students through two programs: Peer Facilitation and Teaching Pathway. 

"The Peer Facilitation Program is an elective … which allows general education students to work in the self-contained special education classes," he said.  "These students work one period a day assisting our students both academically and socially.

"Teaching Pathway is a program that offers general education students the opportunity to explore teaching as a career. The second-year class, Teach as a Professional Intern, allows students to work off-site at other schools a couple hours a day. 

“These students observe, instruct and teach at local elementary, middle and high schools.”

Arant went on to thank the club for "allowing us to share our passions."

"We had so much fun preparing and presenting,” he said. “They made it a special day for us, our peers and our parents.”

Nancy Clackum, the club’s coordinator for the program, said "the special needs students did an excellent job."

"It gave them the opportunity to express themselves, and they were so effective and impressive in demonstrating their communication skills,” she said.

The students were presented with medals and certificates for their accomplishments.  The teachers received plaques and the parapros and student aids got certificates.