By REBECCA SCHERPELZ
Best Buddies Indiana

On December 8, Best Buddies Ball State hosted their final group event of the fall semester: a Talent Show.  As students filtered into the auditorium, the stage was lit, the microphones were hot, and the screen was glowing with “Best Buddies Talent Show” in bright colors.

The chapter's Activities Coordinator Becky Haley, was the MC for the night and guided the audience through a fun evening of talents, smiles, and laughs.  For the event, any Buddy or Buddy Pair who wanted to sign up to share their talent with the group was allowed to do so, but nobody was required to perform.

With nearly 40 Buddies, College Buddies, Associate Members, friends, and family filling the auditorium, almost every Buddy Pair was eager to do an act.  Most people stepped on stage, took the microphones, and sang a favorite holiday carol or High School Musical song.

Another group led the chicken dance, one Buddy got the group on their feet with a rap, another pair taught the group how to say “Merry Christmas, Best Buddies” in sign language, and one Buddy challenged his College Buddy and the chapter's College Buddy Director, Dan Ladig, to a handstand contest.

Regardless of what people did, the highlight was that everybody got to participate - in the spotlight or in the audience, and everybody was among friends.  The audience was always attentive, the applause was sincere, and cameras were flashing to capture the moment of the Buddies in the spotlight.

Most importantly, the feeling and energy of the auditorium, surrounded by Best Buddies friends and family, made it a positive and energetic environment for Buddies and College Buddies to shake off any nerves, grab the microphone and a Santa hat, and share their talent.

It was an incredible opportunity for the Buddy Pairs to do something together, be proud of their accomplishments, and greet the holidays among friends.