Best Buddies is a club all over the United States that offers one-on-one friendships between students and students with an IDD (intellectual or developmental disability). Their main goal is to promote inclusion. They do this by fostering one-on-one friendships between individuals with and without IDD.

Roseyln Saldana, the Chapter president, said that Best Buddies is an important club because many students with IDD don’t get much respect, are treated less than others, and are often excluded. She said that they deserve to be treated with as much respect as anyone and everyone else.

Saldana explained how her brother, who she loves very much, has an IDD himself and how this makes the club even more special to her. She said, “I just love how they promote inclusion for everyone no matter who they are.”

Angel Miranda and Luis Tello, two of the buddies, said that they like Best Buddies. When Miranda was asked what his favorite thing about the club was, he answered “I love everything about it.” He expressed how he loves being included and favorite activity he has participated in was the Match Party. Tello chimed in that his favorite activity he has done in Best Buddies was the Christmas party.

Some upcoming events Best Buddies is hosting are a Match Party, where a student with a disability and a member are matched up and form a friendship in and out of school (October 2nd), and a Trunk-or-Treat in the staff parking lot (October 27 6pm-7:30pm). Besides the Trunk-or-Treat, you have to be a member in order to go to any events.

If you would like to join Best Buddies you can contact the officers including Roselyn Saldana, or the advisers including Mrs.Blakener (the counselor) and Mr.Smith located in room F104. If you would like to help Best Buddies and all those involved you can participate in volunteer events, showing up at socials, and most importantly including students with IDD. Make sure you treat them with respect and include them as well.