Best Buddies is a club focused on promoting an inclusive environment within the student body. It is an opportunity to create meaningful relationships with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The club kicked off the 2023-2024 school year with three events so far, the most recent being the Halloween party and visit to Russell Farms pumpkin patch last weekend.
At the meetings, students enjoy playing games and eating snacks with their buddies. There is also often a karaoke machine for music, dancing and singing.
Senior Charlotte Geller is co-president of the club. Geller has been involved with Best Buddies all four years of high school. She first learned about the club from her neighbor, who was a president when Geller was a freshman.
As president, Geller helps oversee the events, coordinate fundraisers, plan activities for the club gatherings, manage chair members and ensures everyone is having the best experience.
In the past, Geller has really enjoyed the Best Buddies basketball game during the half-time of a girls basketball game.
“I got to be a cheerleader with my buddy, Emme,” Geller said, “All of our buddies talked about it for months and it meant a lot to see them enjoying it and having fun.”
The club has one meeting per month, so the next one will be in November for a Friendsgiving to celebrate the Thanksgiving season.