BY EMMA FRANZ
On Thursday, September 20, Cooper City High School students gathered in the cafeteria in hopes of finding a new buddy. At the Best Buddies Match Party, new and returning Best Buddies members joined together to form new bonds and friendships.
This welcoming event allowed for students from the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program, and other CCHS students, to get to know one another while participating in fulfilling activities. Each student entered the match party in hopes of gaining at least one new friend and left feeling rewarded with the gift of many. Best Buddies members and administration worked together to make this event as memorable as possible by offering many engaging activities for the students.
“I want students to be open to finding new relationships and friendships in many different places,” Best Buddies sponsor Nicole Hicks said.
“I really hope to meet new people and create new lasting friendships,” freshman Tatum Anchell said.
The night consisted of many opportunities that led to the creation of new attachments. The night began with an M&M icebreaker. For this activity, students were partnered together to play the interactive game of answering questions about each of the Best Buddies members, both new and returning, that corresponded to the color M&M picked out of each cup. This activity allowed for each member to get to know one another a little better and discover what particular things they have in common.
“I really liked the M&M activity,” junior Danel Le Roux said. “It allowed me to get to know other people while engaging in an activity.”
This was then followed by the making of paper airplanes and uncovering the true meaning of friendship. Each member was provided with a paper to create a paper airplane with a written description inside describing what friendship means to them. Students then shared their friendship values with their buddies followed by the throwing of their paper airplanes for a new buddy to find. This established a trustworthy and compassionate relationship between all students who participated. New members were excited to join in on the fun and be a part of the Best Buddies community.
All new or returning members had the opportunity to partake in a life-changing experience for both the ESE and other CCHS students.
“I really hope to meet new people and create new lasting friendships,” freshman Tatum Anchell said. “It is my first year at Cooper City High School and I’m really excited that I found Best Buddies and to now be a part of the Best Buddies community.”
Returning members were just as eager as the newbies.
“From the Match Party I hoped to make new friends and reunite with some of the buddies as well,” Le Roux said. “I couldn’t imagine my life without these kids.”
All new or returning members had the opportunity to partake in a life-changing experience for both the ESE and other CCHS students. This left students feeling accomplished, compassionate and rewarded with a new buddy.
Overall, the goal of the Best Buddies Match Party was for all students to find their perfect match, which many can say was accomplished.
Photo by Emma Franz
