Weeki Wachee High Celebrates Unity Day for National Disability Awareness Month

On Oct. 29, Weeki Wachee High School celebrated Unity Day in honor of National Disability Awareness Month, organized by Katie Madison, a 12th-grade student and Girl Scout, for her final Girl Scout project. Katie partnered with Hornets Ability, the school’s club for students with intellectual disabilities, to throw this year’s Unity Day and have it continue as an annual event promoting inclusion and understanding among all students.

Katie designed the event’s “Opportunity Unity” logo, featured on t-shirts and merchandise, and led efforts to create a mural with the same theme, which students colored together during the event. Unity Day included friendship bracelet crafts, face painting, a DJ, and informational booths hosted by organizations like the Special Olympics, UF Center for Autism, and the Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System.

A grant from the Hernando County Education Foundation made this event possible and also funds a school-based coffee shop and merchandise production for students with disabilities. Through a class called “Career Experience,” students create designs, operate a coffee shop for teachers, and participate in job training opportunities in the cafeteria and at a local Holiday Inn learning housekeeping abilities. Anne McHugh, from Hornets Ability, helped Katie secure the grant and bring this project to life, fostering a supportive, sustainable initiative for the school community.