Hanging out at Northbrook Court, enjoying pizza parties and horseback riding are just a few of the many fun things that go on at Circle of Friends.

Circle of Friends is a club at South run by Sherry Koch, special education teacher, and Julie Spellman, instructional assistant in the Special Education Department. Circle of Friends is a place where students get to hang out and meet other students, while also participating in activities from pizza parties to bowling.

“For me, the club is really about getting the kids together and getting to know the rest of the school,” Spellman said. “My theory is that we all have disabilities, some of us just have invisible wheelchairs.”

Spellman, who has been a part of the club for almost fourteen years now, enjoys being able to help integrate the students in special education with some people that they would not regularly interact with.

Along with being involved in school activities, Circle of Friends also goes on many field trips throughout the year. According to Koch, one of the biggest events of the year is when the club goes to Northbrook Court for the holiday field trip.

“We go to Northbrook Court, see a movie, go holiday shopping, and [have] dinner,” Koch said. “We really do have a good time.”

While Spellman and Koch do have a great time with their club, the people that benefit the most are the students, according to club members, senior Nina Santacrose and senior Hannah Flanagan, who also spoke of what they like most about the club.

“[I like] having fun with my friends, and going to the pizza party, halloween party and our welcome back party,” Santacrose said. “I meet a lot of people too.”

Fun get-togethers seem to be the main focus of Circle of Friends, according to Santacrose, who is an enthusiastic supporter of the club.

Flanagan also spoke of her feelings about the Circle of Friends.

“I’m a senior and I’ve been doing it since I was a freshman,” Flanagan said. “I like just being with my friends and just having fun.”

Circle of friends creates a great environment for students at South. It is especially great for students with disabilities to be in a fun and relaxed environment where they can have a good time with their peers, according to Koch and Spellman.

Koch also thinks that the club is very significant in its members’ lives.

“I think it has a huge impact because they want to fit in, they want to belong and that’s what’s so wonderful about this school I think,” Koch said.  “I don’t see anybody teasing anybody, it just impacts them by [making them feel like they belong].”