Best Buddies is a club that creates one-to-one friendships, leadership development and inclusivity for individuals with and without disabilities. Both Garden City High School and Middle School offer the Best Buddies program, both of which are off to a great start for the 2023-2024 school year.
The description of the club is the same at both the middle school and high school levels. Focusing on fostering friendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities in which they share interests, experiences and activities, the club helps to create an inclusive culture for all students.
The middle school club had more than 90 students attend their first meeting, while at the high school, over 160 attended. Meetings are held regularly and students have enjoyed events like a Best Buddies Training Session, Scavenger Hunt, Baseball Clinic with the GCHS Baseball team, Halloween Party, Friendsgiving, and group trick or treating, which was an impromptu nonscheduled event that really captured the kindness and inclusivity that really makes a difference. At a recent meeting, Conor McCartney, owner of Inclusive Fitness, and Garden City High School alumnus, joined Best Buddies at the High School library to help "work off" those Thanksgiving meals and get moving! The students had a great time and got involved with all of the exercises!
Best Buddies in middle school and high school are looking forward to participating in more events throughout the year.
