Peter Lenz has always felt a passion for special education.

The Dartmouth High School senior was one of 13 people honored at the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) awards night on May 25. Lenz’s journey into supporting special needs students was inspired by his twin sister, who is wheelchair-bound.

That motivated him to participate in the high school’s learning partnerships program, which partners participants with special needs students, either one-on-one or in a group setting.

“It’s about making them feel like they belong with everyone else and invited,” Lenz explained.

He also joined the school’s unified sports programs, which teams special needs students up with high school athletes.

“It’s amazing to see what these kids could do when pushed,” Lenz said.

Every year, SEPAC seeks input from parents of students with IEPs on who has made an impact in their students’ lives at school as part of its end-of-the-year survey. That can include anyone from students to teachers and other staff members, explained SEPAC member Kathleen Amaral.

“It’s exciting to be able to recognize folks, whether it be a teacher, teacher assistant, or a cafeteria worker,” Amaral said.

The youngest student to receive an award was eighth grader Cole Perry. He participates in a peer tutoring program at Dartmouth Middle School, where he meets with a special needs student once a week to help with their studies, as well as the unified sports program.

“It just feels good to help someone who needs it,” Perry said.

William Hakeem and Sheri Houle, both special education teachers at Dartmouth High School, were also honored. Both admitted their proudest moment comes when they see their students walk across the aisle to receive their diplomas.

“The students we work with have to work harder than most students,” Houle said.

Other teachers who received awards at the event include John Breault and Kristen Baptista from Dartmouth High School; Sandra Fernandes from Dartmouth Middle School; Darren Fleurent from Potter Elementary School; Julie Stenning and Mary Ann Lamarre from Cushman/DeMello; and Stephanie Melo and Lindsay Vavides from Quinn Elementary School. Dartmouth High School student Jake Nault also received an award.