Be the Change!

Abby Love and Sheila Schuh are both student leaders Carmel HS chapter, attended the Best Buddies International Leadership Conference this past summer and are fast friends. Sheila shares an incredible story about her best friend!

An amazing man once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." 

One of my best friends has given that quote a run for its money. Many would look at Abby Love and label her as what is first seen. She has special needs. I could go on and list her disabilities. But Abby has lived such an inspiring 20 years of life, she has shown me it is so much easier to list her ABILITIES. My freshman year, my first friend at Carmel High School was miss Abby Love. We went from being Rapunzel and a Dalmation at a Best Buddies halloween dance to President and Buddy Director of our Best Buddies chapter. Abby has made an excellent addition to our team. She comes to each officer meeting with her notebook and pen to take notes, attended the Best Buddies Leadership Conference, interviewed all incoming buddies this year and has been a stellar example of what it means to be a friend. 

A friend is one who is there in all times with bunches of love and laughter. Abby Love does just that. This is not only in Best Buddies. Abby has spoken at several Dance Marathons about her experience as a Riley Kid. She is part of our gigantic choir at Carmel where she performs in all concerts. She has acquired several jobs. Among all of these activities, she has spread her friendship along the way. Each weekend, Abby is going out with friends to Noodles & Co. and Orange Leaf. Her joy is contagious. People cannot get enough of her. 

My friend has shown that struggles and hardships mean nothing when you have a lot of love to spread around!

Compassion and Music - The Ticket to Friendship

Darby and Marina from the Hamilton Southeastern HS Best Buddies chapter have been matched for the past two years and have developed a really awesome friendship! Their friendship is built on compassion, and listening to music. Read about their story:

Darby shared the following about her friendship with Marina, 

"My favorite thing about having Marina as a Buddy is that I really like her.  My favorite thing to do with Marina is ride in her car and listen to music.  She drives me home from school a few times a week.  I also like to going to the pet store with her and petting the kittens.  I've met some pretty nice friends through Best Buddies and this is my 5th year!  Some of my friends from Best Buddies have gone to college, but still stay in touch and come visit me when they are home.

I never really had friends before I joined Best Buddies and went to high school.  I've done a lot of fun things like go to prom, go out to eat, bowl, have movie nights, and go swimming with my Buddies.  Everyone should have a Best Buddy to hang out with.  They are nice and I like all my friends from Best Buddies!"

Marina discusses the impact of Best Buddies and the incredible friendship she has with Darby,

"Best Buddies has really changed my life in so many ways. I've always been non-judgmental and inclusive, but I never realized how people with IDD have to deal with not being included. I love being involved and getting to speak to people about how people with disabilities shouldn't be judged because they perfect.  

My favorite thing about Darby is that she is so caring. She can tell when I have a headache and she'll ask if I'm okay. Whenever she sees an ambulance she says, "oh no! Someone got hurt!" I love that her mind is always thinking of others before herself. Darby and I love listening to music and doing puzzles. We also like to go out to eat and watch The Big Bang Theory! We like a lot of the same things; she's a teen and so am I!  

Best Buddies affects my life in a big way. Before this program I didn't know what I wanted to do when I was older or who my true friends were. I now know what career choice is right for me and if my friends can't accept people with IDD then maybe they can't accept me. Best Buddies is an amazing way to get involved in your school or community. Everyone needs a bit of inclusion and love in their lives. Best Buddies is that spot of sunshine in this scary world. You never know, this could be your calling and you wouldn't know it unless you joined!"

The Opportunity of Friendship

Kayla and Alli are an outstanding buddy pair at Mooresville High School. Don’t believe me? Check out either girl's Facebook page or Instagram and see all of the posts they have together. These two are an inseparable pair both inside and outside of school. They are an incredible model of true friendship.

What does Best Buddies mean to you?

To Alli, being paired with Kayla has been “the greatest opportunity of her life”. Many people see what Alli has taught Kayla about the “real world” but at the end of the day, Alli feels like she has grown the most from their friendship.

                                                                       

What's your favorite thing about your buddy?

Alli has a lot of favorite things about Kayla but she will always point out Kayla’s obsession with taking and posting selfies. Kayla “loves their friendship just because that is how it feels.”

 

What do you and your buddy like to do together?

Kayla and Alli like to do a lot of different things together in and outside of Best Buddies. Most recently, they were honored as an “outstanding buddy pair” and attended and Indianapolis Colts game together.

Alli wants people to know that their friendship is one of a kind. Kayla never fails to put a smile on her face.

Champions of Friendship: Laura and Kacy

As many of you know, last March we kicked off our Best Buddies Indiana Citizens program. The Citizens program provides an opportunity for adults in community to form a friendship with another adult in the community with an intellectual or developmental disability. The Citizens program is now in full swing with eight Citizen pairs already. 

Laura Krummen and Kacy Wendling make up one of these friendships.

Laura started her Best Buddies journey at Zionsville High School where she was deeply involved during her time there. Laura is also a Best Buddies Ambassador. 

Kacy got involved with the organization first as a volunteer. The Citizens program gave Kacy the opportunity to take her commitment to Best Buddies a step further and be matched in a one-to-one friendship. Kacy is also participating in the first annual Best Buddies Indiana Champion of the Year Competition. A competition between a group of Best Buddies volunteers, participants, and community members, to raise money for Best Buddies Indiana during a limited amount of time. 

Here is a little bit about Kacy and Laura's friendship:

What's your favorite thing to do together?
Laura and I both love to cook, bake and try new restaurants when we’re together.  She’s a bit more adventurous than I am and she’s introduced me to some of her favorite Indian food spots in the city. We just started swapping recipes back and forth when we see each other so we can still try new recipes when we’re not together.  It’s only fitting that she is helping my Champion of the Year campaign by hosting a giveback night at Greeks Pizzeria in her hometown, Zionsville. Come stop by on October 16^th.

What do you like most about being involved with Citizens?

I really loved how natural the process was. The Best Buddies team really gets to know each person interested in becoming matched so they can pair him or her with the right person. I wasn’t involved in Best Buddies in high school or college and Citizens gives me the opportunity to be a part of what I was missing.

Laura, what’s your favorite thing about Kacy? 

Kacy and I like to have fun together. Kacy, my family, friends and I went to India Garden.

Kacy, what’s your favorite thing about Laura? 

My favorite thing about Laura is her laugh and how it spreads to everyone near her. Laura can be a strong silent type at first but once she opens up or talks about her dog, Daisy, she doesn’t stop smiling. It’s contagious.

Kacy, what motivated you to sign up to do Champion of the Year? Any big plans?

Juli Miller, former Best Buddies Indiana State Director, first introduced me to the Champion campaign this past spring. She has such a gift for connecting people with a mission and I immediately signed on after speaking with her. 

I wanted to tell the story of Best Buddies and help to be the voice of those who may not be in the unique position I am. I’ve really gotten behind the mission in the past two years since I’ve been involved in Best Buddies. I want to spread the mission to my peers, to the Indianapolis community and beyond my own reach. That’s what motivated me to becoming involved with Champion of the Year.

Big plans?
My family and friends are the best and have helped me plan and execute ideas to reach more people with the mission and bring funds back to a great cause. I have a few more events lined up throughout October that couldn’t have happened without them. I am also selling “Everybuddy is a Champion” t-shirts for $20 and ALL proceeds go back to Best Buddies.  Purchase one here: www.kacywendling.wix.com/championshirts

You can read more about Kacy's story and the Champion of the Year campaign here: BBIN Champion of the Year

Focus on Friendship: Amelia and Tarinagi

Amelia Anderson and Tarinagi Trinh are friends that attend Riverside Intermediate Jr. High School in Fishers, Indiana. Amelia was a 6^th grader and Tarinagi was a 5th grader this past school year and they both joined Best Buddies and formed an amazing friendship, spending valuable time to ether in and out of school.  Their friendship demonstrates the positive impact of Best Buddies in the school and community!

Why are you friends? 

Tarinagi: I like to talk to her! 

Amelia: He makes me smile!

During school, when did you enjoy spending time together? 

Both: When we were in the Teacher’s Lounge, we enjoyed helping each other sell candy.

What was your favorite in-school Best Buddies activity? 

Both: Our favorite school activities were our recreation days and cookie decorating in December before Winter Break.

What was your favorite out of school Best Buddies activity?

Ice-skating for thirty minutes was fun. Meeting some Indiana Pacers players was fun when we went to the game.

To learn more about Riverside's Best Buddies chapter, Indiana's Outstanding Middle School Chapter for 2013-2014, check out the video below.

Brian & Sam

Brian Ambrose and Sam Shelley are friends from Brownsburg High School. Both are in the 9^th grade and have been friends since Kindergarten. Growing up, Sam and Brian would hang out together inside and outside of school. This year, Brian decided to become involved in Best Buddies where he could spend more time with is life-long friend Sam. Through Best Buddies, the two have been able to continue and strengthen their friendship.

How long have you been involved in Best Buddies?

Sam has been a part of Best Buddies since middle school. Brian joined this year because of his friend Sam. 

What's your favorite thing about Brian?

Brian always has my back.

What's your favorite thing about Sam?

He is goofy and fun to be around.

What do you and Brian like to do together?

We like to play video games together and go to the pool.

Below is a picture of Brian and Sam and the rest of their chapter at  Brownsburg High School's End of the Year Party.

Shawn & Maddie

Shawn and Maddie at the 2014 BBIN Black & White Ball

We could share countless stories of friendships that have been made in our programs throughout the state of Indiana. Many times, these friendships begin when two people are matched in a friendship. However, sometimes there are special friendships that develop outside of a one-to-one friendship. 

Shawn and Maddie have one of these friendships. Members of the Purdue Best Buddies chapter, the pair has never officially been matched, but have developed a strong friendship and partnership as leaders in their chapter.

As she graduates this month, Shawn wanted to honor Maddie by telling everyone about what her friendship means to him.

What does Best Buddies mean to you?

It gives me hope, Best Buddies does. That there can be a better world for this generation. Best Buddies means true friendships.

What's your favorite thing about Maddie?

Her passion to help others

What do you and Maddie like to together?

We don't really hang out much, but when we do, just being around her makes me happy. She pushes me hard and is my biggest fan, but holds me accountable when I need it.

How has Best Buddies and your friendship changed your life?

It gives me a reason to believe in my self and others again. It gives me a reason to smile again.

Why do you think others should join Best Buddies?

So they can be a part of an amazing program like Best Buddies that promotes acceptance and inclusion for everyone, because that's really what all of us want.

Lauren Wendling, college program manager for BBIN, said about the pair, "Shawn and Maddie are a true representation of Best Buddies.  They have a very natural friendship and support each other in all aspects of their lives."

A Month for Friendship

As we end the month of February and enter March, we look forward to celebrating Best Buddies month. March is the month we dedicate to celebrating friendships, jobs, advocacy, and social inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. What better time to celebrate another one of our outstanding friendships. 

Ella and Gabriel are both members of the Brownsburg West Middle School Best Buddies chapter and this is their first year together as a buddy pair. 

What does Best Buddies mean to you?

Gabriel: It means being able to see my buddy outside of school!

Ella: Best Buddies means to me helping out with kids who have a disability. Also, to learn about new experiences with them.

What's your favorite thing about your buddy?

Gabriel: She is nice and likes video games!

Ella: My favorite thing about my buddy is that he is hilarious! He is very friendly, responsible, nice, and funny. He can really make you laugh, even if you are in a bad mood. He is all the possible great character traits that you could think of.

What do you and your buddy like to do together?

Gabriel: Movies, video games, and crafts!

Ella: Gabe and I like to watch movies, play video games and other games, and go bowling together.

How has Best Buddies changed your life?

Gabriel: She [Ella] is someone I can count on.

Ella: Best Buddies has changed my life because you get to experience things that your buddy experiences throughout their life and day. 

Why do you think others should join Best Buddies?

Gabriel: So they can have a good friend.

Ella: I think others should join Best Buddies because it would give them an experience and lessons with their buddy. You create a new friend and hangout with a new friend whenever you want!

Thankful for Friendship

As Thanksgiving approaches, you may have noticed the abundance of '30 Days of Thankfulness' posts popping up on your Facebook and Twitter feeds. As we think about what we are thankful for, we want to take a minute to reflect on friendship. Often times, friendship is something we take for granted, but something most of us can't imagine living without. Muhammad Ali once said: 

"Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything."

This month, we'd like to introduce you to Hannah and Rebecca. These two are a part of the Columbus East Best Buddies chapter and have been matched for two years.

As you read about this month's featured friendship, we hope you reflect on the friends in your life who help you be the best person you can be (and maybe send them a message to tell them thanks!)

What does Best Buddies mean to you?

Hannah: Best Buddies means friendship, inclusion beyond belief, and good times.

Rebecca: Best Buddies is where I can have fun and make people proud.

What's your favorite thing about your buddy?

Hannah: My favorite thing about Rebecca is that she is so nice and always willing to help me with whatever I need.

Rebecca: My favorite part about Hannah is that she's my best friend. She's nice to me and makes me happy.

What do you and your buddy like to do together?

Hannah: Rebecca and I like to do anything and everything together! I'd definitely say her favorite thing is going out to eat. My favorite memory is winter formal and then our sleepover!

Rebecca: I like having lunch or dinner together.

How has Best Buddies changed your life?

Hannah: Best Buddies has taught me that we all have disabilities, but it's the abilities that should be celebrated.

Rebecca: Hannah has taught me to be the best person I can be and how to be happy.

Why do you think others should join Best Buddies?

Hannah: I think other people should join Best Buddies to meet new people, have a great time, and make friendship that will last a lifetime!

Rebecca: Join Best Buddies to meet new people!

Friendship, Acceptance, and Learning from Each Other

At the end of the last school year, we asked our chapter leaders to nominate some of the outstanding friendships from their chapter for our annual Buddy Pair of the Year award. Inspired by one of the nominations, we wanted to feature one of these friendships in this month's Focus on Friendship Blog. 

Marcella Seibert and Talina Velazquez both attend Westfield High School and have been matched for two years in the Best Buddies program. 

Below is part of the nomination we received praising this incredible friendship:

"Their friendship is inspiring.  They both have opened their hearts, encouraged laughter, and have demonstrated that friendship is one of life’s most precious gifts.  Their friendship is an incredible example for the world to see. Westfield High School and Best Buddies are blessed to have such an incredible example representing their organizations."

Here's a little bit from Talina and Marcella about their friendship:

What does Best Buddies mean to you?

Talina: It's great to hang out with friends on weekends, and Best Buddies makes me get to know a lot of people at my school.

Marcella: Best Buddies means so much to me.  I get to hang out with people who don't focus on image or exteriors, but who focus on what's on the inside. It is true friendship, which is what everyone needs at our age.

What is your favorite thing about your buddy?

Talina: My favorite thing about Marcella is that we hang out a lot.

Marcella: T always is ready to have fun.  She is rarely in a sour mood.  She has an amazing sense of humor and loves to goof around.

What do you and your buddy like to do together?
    
Talina & Marcella: We get our nails done, have girls' spa nights, movie nights, football games and go out to eat!

How has Best Buddies changed your life?

Talina: I have more friends because of Best Buddies.  I feel included.

Marcella: I know that because of Best Buddies I can make a difference.  I know that I will always have a true friend who will be there no matter what. It has taught me the meaning of true friendship.


Why do you think others should join Best Buddies?

Talina: It's very fun. It is a good experience for both the buddy and the peer buddy.

Marcella: It's a club where you get together to hang out with your friends. Who wouldn't want to join an organization like that?

To quote the nomination letter once more, "This pair represents what Best Buddies is all about: friendship, acceptance, and learning from each other."

We couldn't have said it better.

Hope of Friendship

As the 2013-2014 school year kicks off we want to share a testimonial from an incredible buddy pair from the Butler University chapter. 

Katie McGill has been involved with Best Buddies for many years, and has witnessed the formation of numerous strong, long-lasting friendships, including many of her own. She is currently the chapter president at Butler University. She and Austin Zeiner were matched earlier this year and have developed a wonderful friendship! 

"Best Buddies means friendship and hope to me. Every year, I meet so many wonderful and inspiring individuals with the same mission. Throughout the year, I'm lucky enough to watch individuals that I've paired up build their friendship and make each other happy. The compassion and dedication the members of my chapter have make me proud and hopeful that the mission will continue to grow. 

Austin is a caring, funny, and thoughtful friend. He and I paired earlier this year and we bonded immediately. At events, he helps me ensure everyone is enjoying the event and even plays pranks on me, which is always a good laugh. He helps and encourages me through stressful moments. He's a wonderful guy! 

Austin loves sports. He teaches me a lot about sports outside of Butler Basketball. We really enjoyed going to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch March Madness.

This is my sixth year in Best Buddies. I joined in high school and was paired up my senior year. I fell in love with the organization after I met my first buddy, Josh. I learned many things about him and myself during our pairing. Since graduating from high school and going to Butler, I've had two more buddies, Jackie and Austin. Similarly, they also taught me a lot and further deepen my passion for Best Buddies. I cannot imagine my life without this organization and hope to continue my involvement after graduation."

Katie summed up her Best Buddies experience by encouraging others to join, saying: 

"Best Buddies is an amazing organization that helps develop long-lasting friendships. Not only does it make a difference in someone else's life, but chances are, it will make a bigger one in yours."

Focus on Leadership: Helena Spychala

Best Buddies Indiana (BBIN) welcomed 112 middle school, high school, college, and Ambassadors participants to this year's Best Buddies International Leadership Conference (BBLC). One of these students attended the conference as BBIN's first ever middle school Ambassador.

Helena Spychala, a recent eighth-grade graduate of Westlane Middle School and former Buddy Director of the Westlane Best Buddies chapter, was able to experience conference for the first time this July.

During the weekend, she was able to attend Ambassadors classes, meet other middle school student leaders from across the world, and give her speech at the BBIN state meeting on the last day.

Helena and her roommate Aliya Carroll, a fellow Westlane student, roomed together at the conference.

Helena and the group from Westlane Middle School.

"She enjoyed being a college girl for a couple of days," said Karin Spychala, Helena's mom.

Aliya and Helena had a great time meeting other middle school students and learning all about Best Buddies.

"My time with Helena in the dorm was awesome! We had some friends that we made right next to us and we talked and played games on my iPad," said Aliya.

Helena said "meeting new people" was her favorite part of conference.

On the last day of conference, Helena presented her speech to her fellow BBIN participants with her advisor, Melinda Zore, and Aliya by her side.

"I really enjoyed standing up there with Helena while doing her speech," said Aliya.

Zore said that Helena's speech was one of the best parts of her conference experience.

Helena and Zore at the BBLC Opening Ceremonies

"Helena has become more confident in herself," said Zore. "She has a friendly and outgoing personality which helps her interact with others.  Her speech was one of the highlights of the conference. Having been her teacher for three years, I have had the opportunity to watch her grow and become a beautiful young lady."

Helena is already looking forward to her freshman year at North Central High School and next year's Leadership Conference.

"Helena had a fabulous time at BBLC! She was already talking about next year on the way home, before she fell asleep," said Karin Spychala.

Mitch and Nick:Greenfield-Central High School

Mitch Gibson (left) and Nick Gill (right) are a buddy pair from Greenfield-Central High School.

The Greenfield-Central High School Best Buddies chapter opened in the Fall of 2012. During the chapter's inaugural year, students Mitch Gibson and Nick Gill were matched together in a one-to-one friendship. Even though they have only been matched for a year, Mitch and Nick have developed a strong, natural, and lasting friendship. 

See Nick's perspective on their friendship below:

What does Best Buddies mean to you?

Best Buddies is a lot of fun, and I do fun things with my friends there. We stand up for people and have fun!
  
What's your favorite thing about your buddy?

I love Mitch! He is tons of fun!

What do you and your buddy like to do together?

Mitch and I do all kinds of things together. We love to go out to eat, see movies, play games, and laugh a lot. We also spend our birthdays together, and I cheer for him when he plays baseball. I loved spending the night at his house. We had so much fun!

 
How has Best Buddies changed your life?

I have always had lots of friends, but Best Buddies has given me some very close friendships, and it gives me a club to help lead. I feel important and special when I'm leading them and being with my Best Buddies. 

Why do you think others should join Best Buddies?

I think others should join because it is fun and it makes people feel special!

Lifelong Friendships: Andrea & Justin

Andrea and Justin at a Best Buddies basketball event.

As May comes to a close, students are graduating and moving on from our Best Buddies chapters. As a tribute to our seniors, we would like to highlight one of our outstanding senior buddy pairs from Munster High School. Justin Rios and Andrea Paunicka have only been matched for one year, but have formed an incredible and lasting friendship.

What does Best Buddies mean to you? 

Andrea: Best Buddies is not just a school club, it is much more than that.  It is a place to make new lifelong friendships.  I never thought a club would become so important to me. I have made so many new memories and friends.  I enjoy every minute of the club.  Everyone coming together makes me so happy.

Justin: Best Buddies helped me make friends, and talk to many people in the club.  The events give me a chance to talk to all of my friends.  The events help me meet people from other schools. 

What's your favorite thing about your buddy? 

Andrea: My favorite thing about my Best Buddy is he can always make me smile, no matter what.  No matter how upset I am or what mood I am in, I know he can always cheer me up and make me laugh.  His personality is the best personality a person can have, and he is so friendly to everyone too.  I love how social he is and it's so hard to pick my favorite thing.  I love everything about him.

Justin: My favorite thing about my Best Buddy is that she is very funny, makes me laugh and giggle.  I like to dance with her.  She is very nice and I love talking to her on the phone and in the hallway.  

What do you and your buddy like to do together? 

Andrea: Justin and I go to the movies, we love going bowling, even though he always beats me!  We love going to McDonald's and watching movies. We love playing Wii also!  We also make cupcakes, but they haven't ever turned out.  We also love mini-golfing, even though he always beats me in that too.

Justin: We go bowling, and watch a lot of movies. Our favorite movie is Big Daddy.  We love going to McDonalds, it's our favorite restaurant. 

How has Best Buddies changed your life? 

Andrea: Best Buddies has changed my life in several ways. I never thought a club could change my outlook on life.  Everyone in the club is amazing and so much fun. Because of Best Buddies, I have realized how incredible everyone is and I have decided to become a Special Education teacher.  I never thought I would major in Special Education, but because of my experiences in Best Buddies and how much it has impacted me, I will major in it. 

Justin: Best Buddies has changed my life, because I have made a lot of friends.  It is very fun, and I talk to people and I have become even more social.  I feel more part of the school. 

Why do you think others should join Best Buddies? 

Andrea: I think others should join Best Buddies, because it is the best choice I have made.  You get to experience something incredible and meet incredible people.  It could change their life, just like it has changed mine. 

Justin: I think others should join Best Buddies because I love Best Buddies. It is fun and can make new friends.