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Popcorn is bringing students and adults together at Luverne Middle-High School.
“Popcorn Friday” is a once-a-month activity between students in grades 6 through 12 and clients at Rock County Opportunities in Luverne.
After an initial trial run in January, the first official Popcorn Friday took place Feb. 21.
Jennifer Radtke spearheaded the activity.
“For most people with physical and intellectual disabilities, their lives are based on exclusion — having the same opportunities as able-bodied individuals is a daily fight,” she said.
“All the clients at RCO have amazing talents and abilities. They need more opportunities to show them.”
Radtke serves on the RCO Board of Directors and is a learning disabilities teacher at LHS.
She wanted to encourage an activity within the school between students and clients.
Her son, Eli Radtke, is the sophomore class president, and he brought the idea to council members to come up with a possible ice-breaking activity.
“It’s going to help RCO and bridge the gap with clients and students,” he said.
Construction of the middle-high school’s new concession stand was recently completed and the new popcorn machine was installed.
Eli’s late uncle and Jennifer’s brother, Todd Simon, was an RCO client and brought forth Popcorn Fridays because he loved popcorn.
“I was pretty close to my uncle, and from him I understand the world needs more empathy — put yourself in someone else’s shoes.”
Simon died in 2013, and Popcorn Fridays have become a tribute to the 49-year-old.
“Eli didn’t see any disability, he just saw Uncle Todd,” Jennifer said.
The Radtkes hope the same acceptance is developed between students and RCO clients.
On Feb. 21, RCO clients Jolene Hunt and Jeannine Vastenhout arrived early with RCO employees Jenna Coffman and Ariel Larson to assemble the estimated 400 popcorn bags.
Hunt and Vastenhout, along with other RCO clients, handed out the freshly popped corn during the school’s two lunch periods.
Students acknowledged the adults’ efforts by saying “thank you” as they clasped the small, white bags.
The interaction positively affected Hunt and Vastenhout.
“It feels great,” they said in unison.
The middle and high school student councils paid for the trial Feb. 21 Popcorn Friday. RCO will sponsor the March event.
Additional sponsors are sought for the April and May events.