Why Inclusion Matters

Why Inclusion Matters

Best Buddies is an international club that allows high school students (often referred to as Buddies) to spend time with other teenagers with special needs (otherwise known as Friends). At Waunakee High School, Best Buddies is a more recently formed club that shares the same goals as the corresponding international establishment. I joined Best Buddies last year, and I really enjoyed spending time with our Friends and learning more about them. Best Buddies is such a fun club because it’s held in an uplifting environment that makes every member feel cared for.

Nyssa, one of the Friends in Best Buddies (left), and me (right) painting flower pots for Mother’s Day. This was such a fun activity because we got to see the creativity of our Friends as they put in effort to create a special gift for their mothers.

(Photo by Waunakee Best Buddies)

A lot of our Friends in Best Buddies also participate in our school’s Adapted Sports Team. I think that this is such a great opportunity for our Friends because they get a chance to participate in extracurricular activities and compete against other teams. It’s really important for Buddies to attend home games because they make up the student section and bring a positive attitude to all of the games. The student section is always super supportive and the games are overall a really great environment!

In the photo above, Cooper, a Friend and an athlete in our school’s Adapted Sports Team, is taking a goal kick during the match. The Adapted Sports League is a wonderful option that allows our Friends to participate in athletic activities. Everyone in the league is just there to have fun!

(Photo by Waunakee Best Buddies)

Best Buddies is a really important club because it helps high school students learn to interact with other students who have special needs. This club includes a wide variety of disabilities throughout all of our Friends, but everyone is treated with love and respect, despite their differing needs. My experience in Best Buddies has been really positive and has helped me learn to care for others who have varying disabilities.

Luke, another Friend in Best Buddies (left), and me (right) spending time outside on the first sunny day of spring. Spending time outside in Best Buddies is always fun because we get the opportunity to participate in fun activities such as sidewalk chalk and bocce ball while learning more about our Friends.

(Photo by Waunakee Best Buddies)

The Best Buddies club helps teach its members how to show compassion and empathy towards those who have different needs. This is an important skill that applies to real life because the world’s population is very diverse and there are so many challenges that everyone faces. It’s crucial to learn to empathize with people because everyone has a different story to tell. It’s also very exciting to see other students who want to join Best Buddies. We had so much interest in the club this year that we had to create an application process for incoming Buddies! I love when the club gains members because we get to meet new people who want to learn more about our Friends!

Charlee Gauerke (left) and me (right), with Gracie (middle), yet another Friend from the club. In this picture we are at our school’s Club Org Fair, where we are monitoring the Best Buddies table to help build membership for the club. This was a lot of fun because we got to meet so many new students who were interested in spending time with our Friends!

(Photo by Waunakee School District)

I’m so grateful to be a part of Best Buddies because it’s such an amazing club to participate in. It gives both Buddies and Friends an experience to interact with people who live different lifestyles from them, and I think that’s an important thing for students to learn. I love our weekly meetings where we do so many fun activities with our Friends. Considering the crafts we do each week and the sports games our Friends participate in, Best Buddies is such a positive experience, and I really recommend it for anyone who’s looking to give back to their community.

I love this picture of our Friend Nyssa because her face is filled with so much joy as she holds Lotso, her stuffed bear. This picture reminds me why I love Best Buddies because we do so many fun activities each week, and every meeting provides a chance for Buddies to bond with their Friends.

(Photo by Waunakee Best Buddies)