The Way of the Midwest: Wayzata High School and its R-word Success

On March 7, 2018, the Governor of Minnesota made a proclamation that this date would be the Spread the Word to End the Word day. One campus, Wayzata High School in Plymouth, MN, hosted events to educate students about the R-word and make their campus a more inclusive place.

“Taking the pledge shows that they [people] respect everyone, with and without disabilities. This is important because it symbolizes that we are all equal,” Katelyn Palasek, a senior at Wayzata High School, said.

At Wayzata, the mission of the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign is shared throughout a week of events. The campus has an organization, Club US (Unified Students), who promote the R-word activities throughout the week. T-shirts are sold and a banner is on display for students to sign. Events occur during lunch so there is ample time for students to learn about the campaign and pledge to eliminate the R-word from their vocabulary.

The R-word campaign has changed the culture of the school. “It simply makes are school more inclusive,” Mimi Schrader, a junior, said. “Everyone feels like they are accepted and the R-word campaign has sent a message saying that words and labels don’t define you.”

Another way students at Wayzata promote the R-word campaign is through the use of a video made by students. In the video, students hold up signs with words that are used to label them. These words alongside the R-word demonstrate the impact words have on an individual.

Members of Club US recommend other organizations use incentives like shirts, pins, and flyers to draw attention to the R-word campaign. Outside of their efforts with this campaign, students in Club US have worked to promote a more inclusive campus environment. From honoring players on Unified teams at school events, to implementing a Unified Sports P.E. class on campus, the students have paved the way for a future of inclusion.

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Pledge your support to end the R-Word here.