RH Newsletter Feb 2026 - Flipbook - Page 10
Inclusive Schools
Week: Sports for All
Students at Rush-Henrietta Senior High School experienced
sports from a wheelchair, thanks to a partnership with local
non-profit Endless Highway. The idea originated with Redeat
Shumaker, a junior known as Red. She is a fierce wheelchair
basketball player who aspires to play for a D1 college. “I
wanted to bring this opportunity to Rush-Henrietta to help
my classmates see what people who use mobility devices can
do, and how cool it really is,” says Red. This experience took
place during National Inclusive Schools Week in December.
Redeat Shumaker, a student at Rush-Henrietta
Senior High School, poses with Connor Herbst,
an athlete on the Rochester Wheels co-ed
basketball team. Redeat is spreading awareness
about playing sports from a wheelchair.
During physical education classes, students learned the
difference between sports wheelchairs and everyday
wheelchairs. Sports wheelchairs have wheels that are angled
out at the bottom and have added anti-tip wheels for
stability and balance. A foot guard across the front protects
players’ feet during close play. The 15 wheelchairs used for the class were loaned by Endless Highway, which provides
support for youth and adults who use mobility devices to participate in adaptive and inclusive sports. Each wheelchair
loaned to the class costs $4,000. Wheelchairs that are tailored to fit an athlete with customized side and back support can
run up to $10,000.
Red has tried several sports, including sled hockey, tennis, track, and swimming, but her focus is on basketball. She devotes
time to her training and spent the summer visiting three wheelchair basketball summer camps at potential colleges. Her
talent, skill, and positive attitude are getting her noticed, and there is talk of her being a Paralympic hopeful. She is one of
the many reasons Rush-Henrietta is proud to raise awareness and promote inclusive opportunities for all students.
Students Fill Cell-Phone Void With New Hobby
People often ask, “What are students doing during lunch
now that they can’t have their cell phones?” Students at
Rush-Henrietta’s Webster Learning Center are using that
time to learn how to knit hats, scarves, and lap blankets.
Paraprofessional Sangeetha Ramkumar brought looms
and yarn to school to see if students wanted to learn
to knit. She thought some students might enjoy being
creative during lunch, especially given a new state law
prohibiting student use of cell phones during the school
day. Turns out, many students were interested!
What began as a fun diversion during lunch evolved into
a meaningful service project. In fact, several students
visited the Rockwood Center Senior Living Community
(pictured) in Henrietta to give 30 of the handmade hats
and scarves to the residents. They also brought cards
made by other R-H Webster Learning Center students,
and used their time there to connect with the residents
by talking with them, showing them their projects, and
even teaching a few residents how to knit.
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Some of the students enjoy knitting so much they have
purchased their own looms to be able to work on more
items at home. They report they enjoy it, and many find it
helps them to focus. By putting their cell phones away, they
are helping to create a more tightly knit – yes, we said it –
community!
R-H students are using their free time productively now that
cell phones are not an option at school. In fact, students at
our Webster Learning Center are knitting up a storm!
