Through the combination of LEAD 060 and FYS 038, Drake first-year students engaged in a service activity at Ruby Van Meter School, a local Des Moines middle school and high school that serves students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This service event involved hosting a homecoming carnival celebration.

The carnival took place on Sept. 29. The students of FYS 038 developed all the ideas and content for the carnival games and worked to ensure students of all abilities were able to participate. Examples of games included a whipped cream pie toss, prize walk, photo booth, duck derby, bean bag toss, and catapult game. Through this project, Drake first-year students were able to explore, grow, and build their communication skills by engaging with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

—Submitted by Anisa Fornoff, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice