By Shereen Ashai, News Editor
Best Buddies is a nationwide organization designed to strengthen the relationships between disabled and non-disabled students. As members of River Hill High School’s Best Buddies, students are given the opportunity “to foster one-on-one friendships,” explains Best Buddies mentor Megan Schultz.
Until society became more industrialized, these individuals were typically discriminated against.
Anthony K. Shriver founded the organization in 1989. Since founded, Best Buddies has grown nationwide with participants in all 50 states. It has helped students with intellectual disabilities secure jobs, live on their own, become leaders, and gain self-confidence.
Best Buddies came to River Hill when teachers saw students with disabilities becoming segregated from the other students. The club assists them in becoming included in school events and community activities.
The River Hill chapter organizes an event each month to help strengthen these friendships. Aside from that, each participant is responsible for meeting with his or her buddy and building friendships with him or her.
“I have learned to understand [that] small things make a big difference in people’s lives,” expressed Sam Margolis, a volunteer helper.
Along with Best Buddies, there are other organizations that benefit relationships between these students, including allied sports. Sam first participated in Allied soccer, which sparked his interest in Best Buddies. He stated that being a Best Buddy “Makes the kids happy, and it feels nice to make someone else happy.”
Those who don’t have time to have individual buddies can become associate members. They come to events and hang out and add to the dynamic of the club.
In the upcoming year, Best Buddies at River Hill plans to host meetings during Hawk Time in which all students are welcomed, as well as after-school hangouts where the only rule is to have fun.
Nationally, Best Buddies hosts organized meetings and fundraisers to support the cause. In Maryland, the annual Best Buddies Walk will take place in the spring in hopes of raising both awareness and money for research.
“The kids love hanging out with a lot of us; the more the merrier,” says junior helper Connor Lawrence.
Best Buddies’ principal role in the community, especially at River Hill is to allow all students to feel more accepted and appreciated, and to build lifelong friendships.