At Airport High School, inclusion is about more than simply being invited to participate. It is about friendship, connection and knowing you truly belong.

That belief is at the heart of the Wing Mate Club, a student club whose mission is to promote positive social and educational interactions among students with and without intellectual disabilities while encouraging unity, cooperation, inclusion and acceptance. What began a year ago with 20 students and a simple goal of creating meaningful connections has quickly become one of Airport High School’s greatest examples of inclusion in action.

Now in its second year, the Wing Mate Club has grown from 20 members in its inaugural year to 52 this year. But the club’s success is measured in much more than numbers. It can be seen in the friendships being formed, the smiles shared during Special Olympics competition,  and the excitement students feel when their Wing Mates walk through the door.

Students in 10th-12th grades can apply to become Wing Mates. Selection includes a review of discipline and grades, along with teacher recommendations, helping ensure students are prepared to be positive and dependable partners.

For ID Mild teacher and club founder Skylar Talton, the idea for Wing Mates grew from her own experiences as a student at Airport.

“As a former Unified Partner at Airport, I learned so much through the friendships, memories and experiences I shared with our Special Olympics athletes,” Talton said. “Those experiences truly humbled me and showed me the importance of inclusion, friendship and belonging.”

When Talton created Wing Mates, she wanted to give another generation of Eagles the opportunity to have those same experiences.

“My hope is that every student has the chance to make memories and build friendships that become an important part of their high school experience,” Talton said. “Wing Mates gives our students the opportunity to learn from one another and experience what can happen when everyone has a place to belong.”

Throughout the school year, Wing Mates spend time with students in the classroom, accompany them on community outings, and compete alongside them in Special Olympics events. While those activities bring the students together, it is the friendships that grow from them that have become the heart of the club.

“The Wing Mate Club helps me make new friends,” said Airport student Audrey Anderson. “They play games with me and are true friends. They make me feel happy.”

Student Darwin Sadler especially looks forward to having Wing Mates join students at Special Olympics competitions.

“I love our Wing Mates!” he said. “I love to see them. They go with us to our bocce tournament.”

For Dayana Amaya, it is about something as simple, and as meaningful, as spending time together.

“Our Wing Mates are nice, and I love them,” she said. “They make me smile. I like playing basketball and having fun with them.”

New Wing Mate Club member Jakob Thompson said participating in Unified PE and being a Wing Mate has helped him see Special Olympics athletes “for their ability, not their disability.”

Camdyn Merchant said spending time with the students always puts him in a more positive mood, while Abigail Griffith said seeing the athletes happy “always brightens my day.”

As the club has grown, so has its student leadership. This year, Wing Mates added officers, with Rylan Bullis serving as president, Brayden Bailey as vice president and McKena Castellano as secretary.

For Bullis, being a Wing Mate is much more than another extracurricular activity.

“Wing Mate Club is more than just a club,” Bullis said. “It builds friendships, it is about making people feel included and creating memories together. I have learned that sometimes the smallest interactions can make someone’s day.”

That lesson is echoed by Wing Mate Cash Epps. “Being a Wing Mate isn’t about changing my classmates, it’s about building real friendships,” Epps said. “Working together helps Special Olympics athletes feel confident and included, while teaching me empathy and how to be a better leader.”

For ID Moderate teacher and co-club advisor Haley Brock, the relationships are exactly what makes the program meaningful.

“Wing Mate Club provides our students with and without disabilities the opportunity to build meaningful and lifelong relationships with their peers,” Brock said. “When everyone is included, everyone wins!”