NHS Best Buddies Day

By Eliza Hallabeck

While sitting outside of the Newtown High School cafeteria on Thursday, March 26, at a table piled with merchandise and information, NHS senior Tori Mead waited to spread the word about Best Buddies.

“We chose today arbitrarily,” Tori said, “but this month is national Best Buddies month.”

Friday, Tori said, was a special day for the faculty to dress down to recognize the Best Buddies day at the school. Sale of the merchandise sold for the day went to supporting the NHS chapter of Best Buddies, of which Tori is president. Tori said people who missed the sale of the shirts, hats, visors, pins and sweatshirts can purchase the items at www.bestbuddies.org, and the proceeds will go toward the Newtown chapter if specified.

Tori, who said she wants to become a special education teacher, said she first got involved with Best Buddies at Newtown High School, because she had been volunteering in classroom events.

She said there are nearly 50 members in the NHS Best Buddies program, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships, and Tori said that number includes both students with and with out intellectual disabilities.

“Our program really helps to increase awareness,” said Tori. She added that it is also a “great way to get involved.”

Tori said the unfortunate truth is students with intellectual disabilities can be ignored due to a lack of understanding, and the Best Buddies program works to counteract that reaction.

My Place Restaurant also gave 20 percent of its proceeds from Tuesday, March 31, from 5 pm to 9 pm, to the cause if customers told them they were there for the NHS Best Buddies chapter, Tori said. 

“I think what we’ve done this week was good for students to be aware,” said NHS special education teacher Jill Gonski.