American's special ed students form a runner's club with success

In 2016, a group of special education students at American High School formed a runners club and instantly gained the support of students and teachers throughout Miami-Dade County.
They became the source of pride for the school and everyone embraced their efforts to accomplish what they love to do – keep running.
The American Patriots Runners Club includes 40 students with Autism or have intellectual deficits but their conditions don’t stop them from running each day at the school.
“The student population recognizes them, salutes them, they’re in the population,” said Annie Perez, American High’s physical education teacher who created the program.
For the first time, the AP Runners Club participated in Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s annual 5K earlier this month.
The event, which partners with the Foundation of New Education Initiatives (FNEI), attracted thousands of students and teachers throughout Miami-Dade, and benefits local public schools. FNEI donates a percentage of race proceeds to participating schools based on the number or participants each school team registers.
Before the event, Carvalho trained and ran a mile with the team, and some of the runners left him in their dust.
“These kids have skills, these kids have desire to succeed, all that’s lacking sometimes is someone who believes in them,” said Carvalho. “Annie Perez believes in them.”
American freshmen Amin Darrazi said the runners club gives him the ability to do a lot of stuff.
“I like it a lot,” he said. “Because it’s the perfect way for me to lose some weight.”
Joaquin Figueroa, a sophomore who also plays varsity volleyball and swims for his school despite having autism spectrum disorder, said the AP Runners fits into his training. "I run every day and I like to play sports, so it's good for me," Joaquin said.