United We Stand: CCS adds honorary cheer coach for special needs student
Calhoun City Schools on Monday announced a resolution concerning an incident at Thursday night’s football scrimmage concerning a special needs cheerleader. Grace Key, the special needs student who has been the center of a firestorm concerning special needs participation and inclusion in regular school functions, will now be able to cheer on the sidelines and field during football games under the supervision of an honorary cheerleading coach.
CCS has added Tonya Reeves Turner, a former Calhoun High School cheerleader and coach who had recently retired from CCS, as the volunteer honorary cheerleading coach to provide support and supervision to Grace Key.
Over the weekend, a video went viral through social media that showed Key cheerleading outside of the fence that separates the football field from the stands. The video shows the junior dancing and cheering along to the cheers that the CHS football cheer squad are performing, but Key is not standing with the rest of the squad on the field. Her sister posted the video, questioning why Key was not allowed to be inside the fence with the other cheerleaders.
“After spending her summer going to practices and learning all the different cheers, someone decided it would be an issue to have Grace on the field cheering with everyone else,” said Grace’s sister, Cara, via social media. “Anyone that knows Grace, knows she is completely competent, and for someone to not allow her on the field is ridiculous.”
Many in the community and on social media rallied around Grace Key, signing a petition for the school system to let her cheer on the field with the squad.
According to a statement released from the school system today, Coach Ginger Reeves, the CHS cheerleading coach and a special education teacher with the system, invited Grace Key to be an honorary member of the team despite not meeting the tryout qualifications. Grace Key was asked to participate in pregame activities including cheers and dances on the field when the band and football players enter the stadium before each game.
“Calhoun City Schools recognizes the unique needs of its students and Grace is no exception,” said the statement. “Calhoun High School is proud that Grace is an honorary member of the team.”
According to the statement, Grace Key has been a part of CCS since she started school and has participated in many school clubs and extracurricular activities while in high school. She has played parts in school plays, attended dances and participated as a member of the CHS swim team, where she “improved her personal best in a number of events” last season.
Key was born with Down syndrome, which occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of Chromosome 21. In a 2014 interview with the Calhoun Times, Grace Key, who was a freshmen at the time, was adjusting well to high school, according to her teacher, Clay Stephenson. “Grace has adjusted remark- ably well and has been a pleasant surprise in my class this year,” said Stephenson.
Grace’s mother, Carrie, said at the time that their family was
blessed with support and acceptance for Grace. “As far as our community and school, Grace has always been loved and accepted,” said Carrie Key in late 2014.
When made aware of the situation at Thursday night’s football scrimmage, the school system immediately sought a resolution. “In light of recent social media posts, it became apparent that concerns regarding the inclusion of students at extracurricular activities is something that required extra attention,” said CCS in Monday’s statement. “Calhoun City Schools regrets that any action taken by its programs would contribute to a feeling of exclusion by any of its members. Inclusion is always the goal when developing programs for all students. Once made aware of the concerns raised in this particular situation, administration worked with the parents to schedule a meeting in order to find an immediate resolution.”
The resolution comes in the form of Coach Tonya Reeves Turner, who has volunteered to serve as the honorary cheerleading coach to provide supervision and support to Grace Key while she cheers with the football squad on the field and sidelines.
“After meeting with the school, we are excited that Coach Turner will lend support for Grace so that she may choose to participate with her peers on the field,” said Dan and Carrie Key, Grace’s parents, in a joint statement with the school system.
According to Monday’s statement, Turner, who has also faced challenges and has served as a former cheerleader with a dis- ability, understands the challenges and has been an inspiration to many throughout her time with CCS. Turner feels confident that she can assist in this role, helping Grace to be able to participate with the squad during the football season.
“I am a Calhoun native. I graduated from CHS and my parents both graduated from CHS. I love the Yellow Jackets,” said Carrie Key. “Grace’s teammates on the cheer squad are wonderful and accepting and are very special to Grace. We appreciate the support of Calhoun City Schools. Today’s meeting is an example of how we can work together to reach a mutually beneficial decision in the best interest of all students. In advocating for Grace, my hope is to advocate for all exceptional students.”
Full text of the statement from Calhoun City Schools: United We Stand Calhoun City Schools strives to serve all students in an equitable and fair manner while exceeding the black and gold standard of excellence. Historically, Calhoun City Schools has always included students with disabilities in academics, arts and athletic activities.
In light of recent social media posts, it became apparent that concerns regarding the inclusion of students at extracurricular activities is something that required extra attention. Calhoun City Schools regrets that any action taken by its programs would contribute to a feeling of exclusion by any of its members. Inclusion is always the goal when developing programs for all students. Once made aware of the concerns raised in this particular situation, administration worked with the parents to schedule a meeting in order to find an immediate resolution.
Coach Ginger Reeves is one of the most decorated cheerleading coaches in the state. She has built a strong program, earning six state championships and has been named as Coach of the Year six times as well. She has been named as Teacher of the Year twice and received the Black and Gold Standard of Excellence Award for Athletics this year. She is also a special education teacher who loves her students and equally loves her cheerleaders. She is firm but fair and holds herself and her students to the highest expectations. Understanding that there are certain limitations of students with special needs, Coach Reeves invited a student with Down Syndrome to participate in pre- game activities which includes cheers, dances and being on the field while the band enters and the football players run through the sign. While the student did not meet the tryout qualifications, she has been included as an honorary member of the team. Calhoun City Schools recognizes the unique needs of its students and Grace is no exception. Calhoun High School is proud that Grace is an honorary member of the team.
Grace has been a part of the Calhoun City Schools’ family since she started school. She has been active in a number of school clubs and extracurricular activities. She has played parts in school plays, attended many school dances and shares her school spirit routinely. Grace has a large group of friends across the Jacket nation and the Calhoun community loves and supports her. Grace participated as a member of the CHS swim team this past year where she improved her personal best in a number of events. The CHS video broadcast program has also featured Grace in “Grace’s Faces” a series of online makeup tutorial videos. “I am a Calhoun native. I graduated from CHS and my parents both graduated from CHS. I love the Yellow Jackets. Grace’s teammates on the cheer squad are wonderful and accepting and are very special to Grace. We appreciate the support of Calhoun City Schools. Today’s meeting is an example of how we can work together to reach a mutually beneficial decision in the best interest of all students. In advocating for Grace, my hope is to advocate for all exceptional students,” stated Carrie Key, Grace’s mom.
The staff of Calhoun City Schools works diligently to provide a safe learning environment that is accessible to every student. Calhoun City Schools is always open to improving the opportunities of our students while providing a safe environment. Coach Tonya Reeves Turner, a former CHS cheerleader and coach who recently retired from Calhoun City Schools, has volunteered to serve as the honorary cheerleading coach to provide supervision and support. “After meeting with the school, we are excited that Coach Turner will lend support for Grace so that she may choose to participate with her peers on the field,” shared Dan & Carrie Key, Grace’s parents. Coach Turner has been an inspiration to many over the years and she understands what it’s like to have some challenges. We are extremely excited to have Coach Turner serve in this role. She loves Grace and Grace loves her! Coach Turner feels confident that she can assist in this role having served as a former cheerleader with a disability. We’re looking forward to a great season of Yellow Jacket football.