In the bustling halls of Coppell High School, laughter and camaraderie fill the air as the Best Buddies Club works to foster a community of friendship. Students engage in heartfelt conversations and shared smiles, breaking down barriers and igniting connections. 

Celebrating differences and fostering friendships, Best Buddies aims to create a welcoming environment that builds a culture of acceptance for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 

Students with IDD interacting and learning to communicate with peers enables them to be more involved in school. This club is designed to help everyone feel included and valued in the school community. CHS 2022 graduate Roshni Patel brought Best Buddies International to campus, taking a big step toward inclusion and understanding between all students. Patel recognized the importance of friendship and connection during her time in school, inspiring her to bring the club to life.

“I worked with students who had special needs throughout middle school and when I got to high school, I didn’t feel like I saw the same sort of interactions,” Patel said. “I wanted to do something that brought the students with special needs more out into high school social life.” 

Following Patel’s graduation, Roshni’s sister, senior Esha Patel, took over as the club’s president, but Esha was involved in Best Buddies long before. When her sister led the club, she helped with events and experienced the club environment firsthand. 

“Just seeing the impact we made on them and how fun of a time I had hanging out with them, along with the memories we made was really special to me,” Esha said.

Esha loves the experience and environment, inspiring her to become Best Buddies president. Seeing how her sister led the club, she adopted Roshni’s ideas while also running the club on her own terms. 

“I wanted to keep that inclusive environment happening throughout my high school career,” Esha said.

At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, Best Buddies’ members attended a matching event where they were paired with their buddy, being the student they get to spend time with. These pairs are decided by a quiz given to club members and matched with the buddy they have the most in common with. 

Best Buddies holds monthly meetings and organizes various events. At these events, club members spend time with their buddies, getting to know and growing closer to them. It is also encouraged that members spend time with their buddies outside of club times. 

“Doing small things like going to get ice cream, watching a movie or things like that are so fun,” Best Buddies sponsor Courtney Pope said. “A lot of these kids don’t get to experience going out like we do on weekends, so sometimes our events are the only time these kids go out.” 

Best Buddies Club is an advocate of breaking down the barriers of isolation for those diagnosed with disabilities. Genuine connections truly have an impact on people, transforming not only the buddies but the students who engage with them. Through this program, Best Buddies continues to nurture an environment where acceptance and friendship continue to grow.

“Everyone deserves to have a place where they feel like they belong and they feel comfortable with being themselves, surrounded by people they’re happy around,” Esha said.

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