Amelia Nilles, a student at our school, is starting a Best Buddies chapter to create a more inclusive campus. The program pairs students with intellectual and developmental disabilities with their peers and aims to promote friendship, inclusion, and a sense of belonging for all students.

Inspired by a desire to ensure that students with disabilities are actively engaged in the high school experience, the student is taking steps to bring the international initiative here. For many students with IDD, friendships beyond their specialized classrooms are rare, leaving them isolated from the broader school community. The Best Buddies program seeks to change that by fostering one-on-one connections and providing opportunities for students with and without disabilities to build meaningful relationships.

“This initiative is about creating opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities to be part of the larger school community,” McCabe said. “Everyone deserves the chance to feel included and valued.”

With plans underway, the new chapter is poised to make a lasting impact, encouraging empathy and inclusion among all students. School leaders and peers have supported the effort, signaling a bright future for this important program at our school.

What sets this club apart is its approach to integrating students with intellectual and developmental disabilities into leadership roles, which few other organizations replicate.

Take Julia, a student in the school’s Exceptional Children Services (ECS) classroom. Julia serves on the Best Buddies Leadership Team, where her energy and enthusiasm light up every meeting. Her role isn’t just symbolic; her contributions shape the club’s activities and direction, showing the value of diverse perspectives in leadership.

Best Buddies’ commitment to inclusion enriches the experience for all members and challenges societal norms, proving that leadership has no boundaries. This unique approach makes waves in the school community, setting a standard for true inclusivity.

At the heart of the Best Buddies club is a simple yet transformative idea: fostering genuine friendships that transcend perceived differences. For students with intellectual disabilities, the club offers opportunities to experience life like their peers—to make friends, attend school events independently and connect through everyday activities like texting.

But the impact goes beyond those directly involved. For typically developing students, spending time with peers who have intellectual disabilities often changes their perspective. What may have once felt unfamiliar becomes second nature, as discomfort gives way to understanding and friendship. “They stop being seen as different and are just friends,” one member shared.

Best Buddies is more than a club—it’s a movement that helps students see one another for who they are, creating a more inclusive and empathetic school community.