With music and microphones, Best Buddies hosted a social event in the cafeteria that gave their members much to sing about.
The first event of its kind, the Karaoke and Ice Cream Social gave the buddies an opportunity to come together and introduce themselves to their classmates.
“It really encourages all the buddies to advocate for themselves, you know, kind of gain confidence and meet new people,” senior Best Buddies member Jakob Wolk said.
This singing event, complete with ice cream sundaes, was designed as a part of an effort to have a monthly social activity planned by the Best Buddies program.
“It is really amazing to see the hard work that us officers have put into the event,” Best Buddies president Shaddi Abdala said. “I think the members have really enjoyed it, so it is honestly a very pleasing and very rewarding feeling to see that we have a good outcome.”
The event benefitted more than just the officers; the buddies were given the opportunity to connect with each other outside of the classroom setting that they normally see each other in.
“I’m hanging out with my friends,” sophomore buddy Logan Savitt said. “[It is fun] because all my friends at school and in Ms. Anita’s class are the best friends ever.”
The students and their buddies were able to enjoy the event together. But more than that, their experience throughout the night was as memorable as was exciting.
“This is not for us,” Wolk said. “It is so the buddies have a great time and they enjoy high school and that is what it is for… I get to see the smile on their faces and it is worth it.”
The Best Buddies program has tirelessly worked to create a friendly, tolerant environment for Cooper City High’s ESE students. For some, the karaoke event symbolized the product of their efforts.
It is events like this that have brought out the best in these buddies, and this has not gone unnoticed. The activities gave the buddies the ability to express themselves while having fun with their peers.
“I am sitting back here as [my daughter] goes to dance… and the girls from the ESE cluster class just go up and start dancing all around her,” Best Buddies parent Lara Vantrees said. “She’s just having so much fun, and it is so great to see her have a normal high school experience.”
The CCHS community came together to bring the Best Buddies a party that they would remember. But they were not the only ones who contributed to this occasion.
“To me, it just shows how much Cooper City High as a whole is so respectful, diverse and accepting,” Wolk said. “It just makes me happy, you have like 20 buddies here, but maybe like 40 or 50 students just coming out… even if they do not have a buddy, they are still here.”
Overall, the event brought students and friends together while providing a fun experience for all those involved.
“Just look at them,” Vantrees said. “They are just all dancing and having fun together. A disability does not matter there.”
Featured photo by Colin Camblin
