The Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign is an anti-bullying initiative started by youth that asks people to stop using the word retarded. Countless Edina High School students took the pledge this past week to remove the word from their vocabulary.

Minnesota Special Olympics described the motives behind the campaign best, “The R-word is the word ‘retard(ed).’ Why does it hurt? It’s exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory. Our campaign asks people to pledge to stop saying the R-word as a starting point toward creating more accepting attitudes and communities for all people. Language affects attitudes and attitudes affect actions.”

Senior Catherine Maclennan is one of the great people who help out with Hornet Connections (the EHS special education program). She emphasized that the sole purpose of the Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign is to get everybody to see kids in special education as equals. “The word is not a good way to see these kids. They should be treated with respect; they are pretty much exactly like the rest of us. They just have some delays in some aspects of their life,” said MacLennan.

Senior Katie Engelking who also works in Hornet Connections, shed some light on how the campaign reached EHS. “Hornet Connections was approached by the board of Special Olympics Minnesota. Since we are a champion school, which means we have a club established, they give us materials to create a more accepting environment at our school. They gave us the campaign idea and then we thought that we should raise awareness. It’s fun to see people walking down the halls with their bracelets or stickers. [I] just know we are taking the first step towards having a more accepting school,” said Engelking.

The Spread the Word to End the Word banner was introduced to the student body in the Pep Fest. The video that played along with the introduction of the campaign displayed many EHS students and teachers pledging to never say the R-word. It was truly a heart-warming sight. This past week the formerly blank banner attracted many signatures and is now overflowing with color. “After we decided to put it in the Pep Fest, we thought that putting the banner in the lunchroom and in the commons would be a great idea too. People have responded super well to it,” said Engelking.

“So many people pledged there’s too many to count! Each signature gives me hope and I couldn’t help but smile each time! It’s times like these when I’m proud to say I’m from this school. Thank you to everyone!” said senior Megan Moffatt.