As an underclassman, Mackenzie became concerned when she saw general education students making fun of students with disabilities and harassing those who volunteered at special education basketball games. This memory prompted her as a senior to enroll in the Peer Helping class, where she is building connections with these students.

Mackenzie reports helping them become more connected through working together on crafts and practicing tasks that may be needed for job placement, such as folding napkins over silverware. She says it is humbling to see their perseverance with difficult tasks.

Basketball practice and basketball games are another endeavor. Peer coaches often are on the court during these games to facilitate participation. Mackenzie’s suggestion of calling the basketball games “Shoot for Inclusion” was voted by her classmates as the best motivational slogan for this year’s games. This slogan was printed on T-shirts given to team members and shirts sold to other students. The profits will be used for a game day banner that the team will run through and break as they enter the basketball court on game day and for other expenses to fund the Peer Helping program.

Mackenzie often has lunch with her new friends. When she sees someone being mocked, she says that she looks for a way to diffuse the situation by engaging with the person being targeted or perhaps sitting with them during lunch. She believes that she is setting an example for her classmates. Mackenzie defines peace as settling conflicts, either spoken or unspoken, that adversely impact people.

Mackenzie has also worked to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. Every year her community swimming pool raises money through a “Swim for Diabetes” fundraiser. Youths aged 8 to 18 secure financial sponsors and then enjoy a lock-in at the pool.  Mackenzie addressed the board of the pool to change the fund-raising process and expand this program.

After being granted permission, she contacted local businesses for financial support and developed a website for donations. She encouraged the youth to increase their fund raising. In the three years that Mackenzie organized the “Swim for Diabetes” at her pool, the total funds donated each year have increased from $2,000 to $9,000.