Phoenix, AZ, March 27, 2024 — Inclusion is always something to celebrate, and the Best Buddies Friendship chapter at Higley High School can throw quite the party, as they did at their yearly Inclusion Carnival.

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development, inclusive living and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Best Buddies Friendship chapters create one-to-one friendships at schools and universities between students with and without IDD.

The Inclusion Carnival brings together over 1,000 participants from 17 schools from the Phoenix Valley area and is coordinated solely by the members of the Higley High School chapter.

“This event has a huge impact,” Erin Sharp, a program participant, said. “We are the largest club on our campus with more than 150 students involved. It really fosters the message of inclusion on our campus and helps students with IDD feel like they belong and that they can enjoy the high school experience.”

The day is filled with many exciting events. From food to games and pie-in-the-face stations, the day exemplifies the power of inclusive friendships.

“It was amazing to see all the students from around the valley all come together for inclusion,” Sarah Grogger, the Best Buddies in Arizona director of development, said. “Higley did a wonderful job of creating an energetic environment for all those in attendance.”