Written and submitted by Emily Thouless, Student Journalist - St. Peter's Catholic Secondary School

Blast into best buddies at St Peter’s Catholic Secondary School in Barrie! The hit world-wide program that brings people together is back in action at our merry little school with grand plans to make new best buds and have lots of fun! The program which matches two students, one with an intellectual or developmental disability and one without, is all about making new, unexpected friendships to help often neglected or ignored students at our schools break barriers and feel included as important members in our school communities.

Mrs. O’Brien, the teacher in charge of the program at our school, has always been on the lookout for new buddies to join the team, and tells of the importance of this program for students not only in the special needs department, but the students outside of it as well. “It’s important so that everyone gets to interact with each other...” says Mrs. O’Brien. “It’s a lot of fun- You get to meet new people, and the best part is you don’t even need any special skills, you just need to be positive and want to make new friends!”

So after all this talk, what fun stuff do you actually get to do as a best buddy? Well that answer is simple, you can do whatever you want! As long as you keep in touch or do an activity with your buddy once a week outside of school and come to the monthly gatherings as a club in school, all you and your buddy have to decide is, what should we do next? Go to a movie? Shop at the mall!? Or perhaps just hang out and talk for a couple hours! The choice is all yours! And remember, as a best buddy you’re not just making a difference towards others in your school community, but towards yourself as well, as giving charity to others brings us good charity in return.