As people entered the Principal’s Team Room at LAP on Tuesday, September 26th, there was an air of confusion, but also one of excitement and curiosity.

The people in the room gathered for a Best Buddies club interest meeting.  This is an event that allows potential new members to learn about the club and gives the leadership group from the club an opportunity to share information about what they do.  

Club president Johnny Towers, III told the group that Best Buddies is very important to him.

According to the organization’s website, Best Buddies is an international organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).”

The interest meeting at LAP was  very informative.  Many people signed up for Best Buddies on the spot, which they did by filling in a membership form on the Best Buddies Organization website. The form is actually quite important, because it includes a questionnaire that develops a profile of the member and works to establish a match for them. PB’s Best Buddies group uses this information to help place members with fellow students here at PB.

Mrs. Huffman, who has been part of Best Buddies since last year as sponsor, stated, “I think Best Buddies is very important because we have to be inclusive, especially in the world that we live in. Also, I want to make relationships with different students – not just relationships I make with my athletes.”

At the meeting, the group talked about the different events that will take place throughout the year that will help members find time to hang out with their buddy. These school-based events may mix with larger events that the national group organizes, including events such as festivals in Baltimore that include local restaurants, auctions, and other activities.

The meeting ended with people chatting about whether they want to join the club or not. Some new members were finishing the membership process, while others were chatting and getting to know each other.

This year’s PB Best Buddies club started organizing late this year, so the group has yet to decide when they will have their regular meetings.