On September 12th, the Smyrna High School Best Buddies chapter kicked off another exciting school year with a Back-to-School Picnic at Big Oak Park in Smyrna, Delaware! About 30 returning and new members came together for an afternoon filled with friendship, laughter, and plenty of fun.

The picnic was a potluck-style event organized by chapter leadership, giving everyone the chance to bring something to share and enjoy a meal together. Throughout the afternoon, members danced, enjoyed delicious food, played games, and even showed off their Best Buddies spirit with fun Best Buddies tattoos!

The event was a wonderful opportunity for returning members to reconnect while welcoming new members into the chapter. It also highlighted what makes Best Buddies friendships so special, the opportunity to spend time together, build meaningful connections, and create memories in an environment where everyone belongs.

The picnic was led by Advisor Ashley Arnold and Chapter President Mattea Kaminski, two incredibly dedicated leaders who work hard to make the Smyrna High School chapter a welcoming and inclusive part of the school community. Their passion for Best Buddies and their commitment to creating opportunities for students to connect and form friendships are truly special.

“Ashley and Mattea bring so much heart to everything they do, and Smyrna High School and Best Buddies in Delaware are incredibly lucky to have them leading the way.” – Brianna Wolfle, Director, Best Buddies in Delaware

The celebration ended on an especially meaningful note with a check presentation from Megan Aitken. Her generous support helped make it possible for six Smyrna High School student leaders to attend the Best Buddies Leadership Conference this past July. The conference gave these student leaders the opportunity to learn, connect with others, grow as advocates, and bring new ideas back to their chapter.

From welcoming new members to celebrating friendships and investing in student leadership, the Smyrna High School Back-to-School Picnic was the perfect way to begin a new year of Best Buddies. The smiles, dancing, shared food, tattoos, and friendships at Big Oak Park were a wonderful reminder that “when we come together, we create a community where everyone belongs.”