More than 40 kids gathered with Madeline Raimondo, social studies teacher, to bridge the gap between students through a Circle of Friends.

They met in her room Oct. 24 in order to make KHS a place where good relationships more commonly occur. The students varied in age groups and learning styles but shared a goal.

“The group focuses on the mentally and socially disabled, but anyone who is having a hard time at school, feels like they need friends or just wants to get involved can come,” Kelly Owen, junior, said. “It’s a great place for people to come and hang out and just be who they are.”

Circle of Friends was created by Raimondo and Haley Reinkemeyer, Taylor Stewart, sophomores, Joe Weber, Jahmal Hicks, juniors, and Katie Just, senior, who were chosen to be leaders in helping students feel connected to their school and peers.

STUCO has also stepped in to help with funding and encouraging outside members to join.

“It was proposed at one of our STUCO meetings that we give money to Circle of Friends to help it start up,” Owen said. “It seemed like a really cool idea, and we all voted in favor. From there it was easy to get involved in the meetings and help spread the word through STUCO.”

The group plans on participating in activities such as bowling and visiting the City Museum, but Owen said simply attending the meetings is a fun way to mix up your normal routine.

Circle of Friends tries to create ways for kids to feel welcome and gives them a chance to socialize with those outside their comfortable group of friends.

“I think it is important to give everyone a chance to feel like they are involved in the Kirkwood scene,” Stewart said. “We are going to go to basketball games together and even throw a dance, since a lot of our members claim to feel uncomfortable going to the Friendship Dance.”

Members of Circle of Friends feel like they reap the benefits of belonging to the group.

“I love going and actually getting to meet new people who I go to school with everyday and pass in the hallway but have would have never gotten to know,” Logan Drake, junior, said. “It is a cool thing to be friends with such different people and hear what they have to say.”

Circle of Friends is always looking to attract new students to be part of reaching out to others at KHS.

“I want to encourage all kids to come because I know they would have fun with it,” Owen said. “It feels very rewarding because I know what a great time the members have and how they love getting attention from other people at school.”

The group plans to have meetings once or twice per month where everyone is welcome. Their most recent meeting had over 40 kids in attendance.

“Circle of Friends is a place without judgment where we can all come together and act as a family,” Stewart said. “Opportunities to create new friendships like that do not always come around.”