Best Buddies was recently awarded Illinois Best Buddies Chapter of the Year for the second time.
Winning it first during the 2020-2021 school year, the club members and directors are enthusiastic about redeeming the title and upholding the quality of the club.
Students involved in the Special Education program at Oak Park and River Forest High School truly enjoy the club, according to Best Buddies sponsor Rashad Singletary.
“They’re not just happy to be there, but they actually get to play a role in decision making, actually a role in what’s happening,” Singletary said, who is also an OPRF Leadership and Physical Education teacher.
When selecting a chapter to win this award, Best Buddies International officials look specifically for chapters flowing with community building, inclusion and inspiring effort. By ensuring that students with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a supportive group of friends, develop strong leadership skills and form relationships between not only students but their families, OPRF Best Buddies worked hard to meet the standards.
Grace Moroney, OPRF senior and club member, recalled that she “wasn’t surprised at all” to hear the announcement of the award. “We’ve done such a good job, especially the people on the board. We’re always so invested in making sure that there’s something every month to do,” she said.
The first time the club won the award, the COVID-19 pandemic meant that students only met remotely.
This year, now in person, officials granting the award observed key Best Buddies events such as the basketball inclusion assembly, prom, morning meetings and a rock climbing night.
This award, while a recognized accomplishment on its own, could also be the first step in receiving national acknowledgement, according to Singletary.
“We’re not in it for recognition obviously, but, it might be something cool,” he said.
If the club decides to shoot for the national title, the chapter president, vice-presidents, and some members will attend a conference over the summer at Indiana University.
Singletary highlighted the efforts of the club during the time of quarantining that led to the initial win. With making sure Zoom meetings were scheduled and orchestrating drive-bys to see other friends, Best Buddies was determined that inclusion stayed strong even through times of physical isolation.
“Inclusion means to me making sure that everyone has not just a seat at the table, but a voice at the table as well,” Singletary said.
OPRF senior and Best Buddies chapter president Hailey Boland shared the same clear values that uphold the quality of the program. Boland reflected on the new achievement as being “surreal” and “full-circle.” Being a senior and leaving the community she has loved for so long means she has high hopes for the potential of what the program could become.
“I hope Best Buddies continues to grow and reach even more individuals. Being part of this organization is truly eye-opening, and I wish everyone could experience a community like this one, she said. “I have full confidence in next year’s leadership, with Chapter President Lissie Avalos and Co- Vice Presidents Ben Albrecht and Stella Kramer. I know they will bring new energy, increase engagement and continue building an even stronger and more inclusive Best Buddies community,”
