Peer Interactions, a class in which students with special needs work with Friends in Learning, traveled to Price Chopper on their third trip outside the classroom to complete a scavenger hunt on Thursday, Feb. 18.

According to senior Rachel Morgan, a Friends In Learning student who went on the trip, the purpose of the scavenger hunt was to help the students learn how to ask questions.

“[Special education teacher Amanda Appl] wants them to get used to asking us questions when they need help,” Morgan said. “We would show them what they needed to go find and then we’d say, ‘OK, lead me to it,’ and so then we could really only help them if they had questions for us.”

Senior Sivani Gadiraju, who also attended the trip for Friends In Learning, believes that activities such as the scavenger hunt help to prepare the students for their future.

“There are a few students who are not able to get out of their comfort zone, and let’s say they’re put in the real world, it’s good practice for them to deal with this,” Gadiraju said. “It’s going to take some time for them to get used to doing it by themselves, but it was a great start.”

Having the scavenger hunt at Price Chopper benefited the students for grocery shopping, according to Gadiraju.

“It was a great opportunity for the kids to get the experience of getting groceries by themselves,” Gadiraju said. “It was a great practice for the kids, and it was good to see them improving with their skills and asking questions.”

Along with the students she helps benefitting, Morgan said being a Friend in Learning has been advantageous for her as well.

“I benefit a lot because this is what I want to do, I want to be a special education teacher,” Morgan said. “It’s like having hands-on experience — getting to do activities, going on field trips and interacting with them — and so it’s good training for me and I enjoy it.”

Gadiraju also likes being a Friend In Learning.

“I enjoy being a Friend In Learning just to know I’m helping a person and making friends,” Gadiraju said. “In my eyes, [the students are] normal. I don’t see them any different than anyone else, and I just love making new friends and being able to be around them and know that I’m helping them.”