Best Buddies participates in many activities every year to benefit the student in the club and the school.

“Students partake in a variety of activities to build and promote friendships. Activities range from eating out, celebrating different holidays (Halloween, Valentine’s Day, etc.), cookie decorating, and playing games,” said co-sponsor Amy Slobodecki.

Every semester gives Best Buddies opportunities to spend more time with their buddies with new events or meetings.

“This semester we have more parties, meetings, hanging out with my buddy family, going to the zoo and more,” said junior Valerie Attwood.

Besides their own events, Best Buddies also participate in school sponsored activities and events. These activities involve school functions and fundraisers.

“Best Buddies is involved in Homecoming each year as well as attending sporting events at North. Best Buddies has 1-2 activities that are school sponsored as well as activities planned by the officers outside of school each month,” Slobodecki said.

Though the club has already done a lot, second semester was just as busy.

“During second semester we will be participating in scavenger hunts, basketball games, game nights, eating out, bowling, and a Best Buddies carnival,” Slobodecki said.

Each semester brings new opportunities for Best Buddies to get active in events and activities. Homecoming provided the most events in first semester.

“Students participated in Homecoming (window painting, golf cart decorating and cheering at the football game), cookie decorating, parties, and movie nights,” Slobodecki said.

A couple weeks ago, Best Buddies went to Kristoffs Bowling Ally.

“It was the first event we have had coming off of winter break. It really helped everyone get to know each other and get comfortable,” said junior David Graham.

On February twenty-fifth Best Buddies will be taking part during the basketball game with a cheer routine and a raffle.

“Any member of Best Buddies that wants to participate will be taught a cheer routine to perform in front of the audience. We will also be selling raffle tickets. The winners of the raffle will be getting gift cards,” Graham said.

March fifth is Spread the Word to End the Word Day, an important day for Best Buddies. This day is dedicated to ending the use of the word retard or any form of that word. It is too often poured out of the mouth of teenagers and even in a joking manner it is still seen as offensive and inappropriate whenever it is heard.

“That day we will have an assembly. Best Buddies will be making a few speeches in order to try and put a stop to people using the “R” word,” Graham said.

An interesting aspect of the club is that the relationships continue to grow over the summer.

“Over the summer some students get together with buddies over the summer and take part in different activities,” Slobodecki said.

Most students that join this club tend to join it again because it provides them with great opportunities and a good time.

“Next year I plan to be part of this group again and stay connected with all the great people I met,” Attwood said.

Students involved in this group encourage more people to join in on the fun.

“People should join Best Buddies because you really have a fun time and meet some many great people, and it’s not like most clubs and its really made an impact on me,” Attwood said.