Do you want a friendship that lasts forever? Do you want a life-changing experience? Best Buddies is the club for you!

In this club you will become friends with amazing people while you spend time doing fun activities.

“I need a good buddy who would really care about me,” said special needs student Guillermo Almazan.

Best Buddies is an international organization where students with developmental disabilities can develop meaningful friendships with other students.

Here at Miami High, “Best Buddies gives an opportunity to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to become friends and participate in school events and club activities,” said the club’s vice-president Malick Jamhour.

Ms. Wilcox, the club advisor, said, “Best Buddies helps people with disabilities become more socially accepted and brings awareness to students about their special needs peers.”

“We want to show the SPED kids in the school, that they can do anything!” said club officer Kevonna Brown.

To join the club, you must have at least a 2.0 unweighted GPA and have a monthly contact with your special needs buddy. The meetings are held in room 1225 every other Monday.

Best Buddies may not be a service club, but they do community service and other activities. By joining the club, you will get to participate in The Friendship Walk, The Friendship Ball, matching parties, as well as spending time with your buddy.

Best Buddies officer Jordan Butler, who is also a special needs student, said, “The Friendship Walk and the Friendship Ball last year were fun!”

Best Buddies members like being in the club. “It has a meaningful purpose which is to be someone’s friend,” said club offficer Maria Queliz.

“I love making our buddies happy,” said student Kevonna Brown.

“I like this club because we interact with the SPED students and they can participate in activities in school so they don’t feel left out,” said club president Anthony Rattigan.

SPED student Jordan Butler said, “I like it because it helps students like us with special needs.”

Everyone should join Best Buddies. “It’s very welcoming, opening, and a life-changing experience,” said Maria Queliz.

“I think it would be a great thing for people to join because it helps them be humbler and to make a differences in people’s life,” said Jamhour.

“Students will love Best Buddies because they are getting a best friend,” said Rattigan.