Making Friends At School
by AMY RENCZKOWSKI
The Times (theday.com Connecticut)
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Hillary McCurdy and Becky Smith |
East Lyme — Seniors Hillary McCurdy and Becky Smith do typical high school things together. They go shopping, have dance parties, and they talk on the phone about clothes and boys.
The two have known each other since their freshman year at East Lyme High School. They met at Best Buddies, a club that pairs high school students with intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships with their non-disabled peers. There are 16 buddy teams at the high school.
Best Buddies at East Lyme High School was recently was awarded the Outstanding Chapter Award from Best Buddies Connecticut. About 60 students participate. One of the club's advisors, Beth Provost, said Best Buddies is one of the largest and most active clubs at the high school. It's a student-run club that meets once a week. Kim Thompson, a health/physical education teacher at the high school, is also a club advisor.
The group has social functions for almost every season and holiday, or any "reason to party." Community service is also a big part of the club. This weekend, club members held a Haunted Prom at Camp Harkness where students dressed in costumes, danced to music, and had their fortunes told.
Provost said the club helps to broaden the social network for students with disabilities. They get ready for the prom with their peers, go bowling, and play laser tag together, among other things. Peer buddies are required to see their buddy outside of school at least twice a month and contact them at least once a week.
Anthony Aries has been a peer buddy for four years. He also participates in unified sports at the high school. He plays sports with his buddy, Ryan, and talks about sports, especially the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, with him.
He said being involved in Best Buddies has made him think about being a special education teacher.
Smith, the club's president, said she and Hillary have become good friends. She hopes the other students paired up with buddies will develop relationships as well.
"I hope to get our student body involved in friendships that might not have happened before," Smith said. "It's important that anyone can be friends with anyone."
SOURCE:
http://www.theday.com/article/20091105/NWS01/311059449 |
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