Best buddies is a club not only here at Severna Park High School, but is an international program with the common goal of friendship and connection. The mission of Best Buddies is to engage people through volunteering in the program to create one-to-one friendships and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
At our school, Best Buddies is a club connected to the international non-profit and meets once a month as well as runs activities outside of school and creates opportunities to support whenever they can. At the first meeting, students are paired with another student who has an intellectual or developmental disability. They then take time to learn more about each other and participate in activities during club hours.
This club is a vital way to ensure that no one is left out and that everyone is given a chance to enjoy their high school years and feel like they have a friend and a community to lean on whenever they may need it.
Best Buddies club member Ava Scott said, “The club is a great way to create a fun environment that fosters inclusion all throughout our school…everyone really gets a lot out of it because it isn’t a very demanding club, it just requires some time out your day to make someone else’s day that much more special”.
Scott’s statement is a true testament to the nature of the club and how it benefits both parties because doing arts and crafts, taking walks, and going on scavenger hunts are just a piece of the fun.
Severna Park teacher and club sponsor Mrs. Fish said, “In the last two years our club has grown more than any club in the school. Kids want to have opportunities to be inclusive and have fun. Our sports teams have also embraced our philosophy of ending social and physical isolation and making meaningful friendships with peers.”
Having such a strong community in support of best buddies at our school allows for plenty of fun events and opportunities to get everyone involved, even people outside the club. Last year best buddies hosted a field day during falcon block and had a multitude of games and activities enjoyed outside. Another successful event was the best buddies theme football game, the student section proudly wore best buddies gear as well as the color purple to show support and had a great time representing the club. Also a hit was the best buddies fundraiser night at Ledo’s pizza with many students and sports teams buying pizza and contributing to the success of the club any way they could.
Finally, best buddies club this year has just begun and this year they are expecting to do even more than years past to create more lasting memories and leave an impact on the high school careers of many so that in years to come, the club can continue to prosper through kindness and inclusion.
