All the Easton Area and Phillipsburg high school students play a part in the long-standing Thanksgiving Day high school rivalry football game .

Well, almost everyone.

Easton Area High School teacher Rebecca Vacaro said her special needs students sometimes feel left out when they can’t participate in activities offered for regular education students. So she partnered with Phillipsburg High School special education teacher Nicole Shenewolf to create the Beyond Rivals Tailgate, an inclusive event for special needs students on both sides of the Delaware River.

Nine of Vacaro’s seniors traveled to Phillipsburg on Thursday to meet about 15 of their counterparts for a daytime tailgate party.

“They’re super excited,” Vacaro said. “They’re super excited about the hot dogs. They’re super excit

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