Friends on the Field
FHS seniors host field event for special needs students
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Class of 2026 seniors, from left, Ella Schlomer, Noah Haag, Alexa Shrader, Moses Burnette, are a leadership class team that organized a Sept. 19 Field of Friends event at FHS.
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Students get ready to be picked for a team.
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Special education student Katie is pictured with Alexa Shrader.
Seniors in a Farragut High School leadership class have reached out to provide a special day for classmates by hosting Friends on the Field Friday, Sept. 19, in FHS’s baseball stadium.
“It was a fun event dedicated to FHS’s special needs students who got to participate in football, kickball and wiffleball,” said Noah Haag, a member of a senior team, which is part a Leadership 3 class. “The sparkle squad was there to cheer everyone on. There also were many senior athletes, helping them out with various stations and games.
“We decided to host this event for the special education students in our school because we wanted them to have a memorable experience that celebrated each of them,” he said. “There are some people in our school who may not know how amazing these students are.
“No matter the disability, they are just like us: human beings,” Haag said. “Getting to know all of them on a personal level has been such a blessing to my life.
“I’m sure others in my leadership class would say the same thing,” he said. “I hope this event becomes an annual tradition at Farragut.”
Haag explained the event was a Leadership 3 class project but was not assigned by the teacher.
“Our committee — the All-Stars Committee — created this event and planned everything with the help of administrators and fellow classmates to make it successful,” he said. “We did not get a grade for it, but at the end of the semester each of us will have a portfolio that shows our leadership and service to the school and community.”
Haag explained Leadership 3 is class “that is all about learning how to be a stronger leader and contributing to our school and community.
“There are a few committees in the class,” he said. “Friends on the Field is an event my committee and I — The All Star Committee — came up with. The other members in my group are Moses Burnett, Ella Schlomer and Alexa Shrader.
“We decided to do this event to support the special ed kids in our school,” Haag said. “We organized a bunch of games, like football, wiffle ball and kickball, for them to enjoy.
“Our committee in charge of the event but other classmates are helping make it successful,” he said. “We also have few parent volunteers helping us and some senior athletes.
“We invited the whole student body to support this event to see how amazing these students are,” Haag said. “It’s not just about the sports and events they’re enjoying; it’s about building a great community within Farragut High School and making sure everyone has a great time with each other. We’re all Admirals.”
What did the team learn? “Our committee learned several things,” he answered. “We found out that planning events takes a lot of dedication, hard work and patience; but most importantly, that it’s all about the people we are doing the event for. It’s not about us.
“This (project) has made me a better leader because while planning this event, our committee had to make a lot of changes, pivot in many different directions and show flexibility in order to make this event a success,” Haag said. “Leaders have to be patient but also be willing to attack what lies ahead of them.”
