Chatham school's PEPI program teaches students to help each other

Morgan Simmons, who is a senior at the same school, worked with Tyrone during a stint as his physical education pupil instructor, a role known at the school as PEPI.

"I think Tyrone and I have become great friends," Morgan said, on the same day the two were recording an inspirational message for the Special Olympics of North Carolina.

The PEPI program began at the Chatham County school last year, and oganizers say the program has helped open the eyes of hundreds of students about their classmates who may have learning disabilities.

It didn't take long for Morgan to realize how charismatic Tyrone is, but it wasn't until the two engaged in a friendly game of kickball did they realize exactly where their relationship stood.

"It was amazing to see Tyrone interact with people he didn't know," Morgan said. "With me, his classmates. It was a very big moment."

Both teens say they have been rewarded by the relationship.

"I can't express how amazing an opportunity it really has (been) and how much it's changed my life and my ambition," Tyrone said.

"It doesn't matter what kind of clothes that people wear at the school," Morgan said. "What does matter? That I care about them."

It's unclear where Tyrone would be developmentally without this program, but it's easy to see where he is with it.

"It's about daring to be your best, whatever that may be," Tyrone said.