Essi Wunderman, Chapter President, Washington-Lee High School

October is such a fun month in Best Buddies because there is this overwhelming sense of new beginnings: a new season, new chapter members, new buddy pairs.

I first fell in love with the Best Buddies mission during October of 2014 at my very first Best Buddies Friendship Walk. I’ll always remember it because, as I listened to the speakers and danced my heart out with my new buddy, I realized that I had found something more valuable than what I’d ever dreamed Best Buddies could be: a new family. Now, as a senior, October seems more bittersweet.

For me, this year’s Best Buddies Friendship Walk is about reflecting on my journey with Best Buddies as I continue walking onward, away from the buddies at Washington-Lee who have changed my life and towards this unknown, looming horizon of the rest of my life. On the verge of so many endings, I am looking forward to small moments of reflection with my friends this month.

I’m looking forward to dancing with my buddy, Terry, as we scream the lyrics to High School Musical songs at our match party. I’m looking forward to sprinting towards the 5K finish line, celebrating our fundraising successes. I’m looking forward to sitting around a bonfire with my friends from all over Arlington, huddled together to stay warm. And, most of all, I’m looking forward to another year of dancing like there’s nobody watching at every single event, because, as I’ve learned from Best Buddies, there is no better way to express joy than by tearing up the dance floor.