One-to-One Friendship

A typical day consists of high fives, quick hellos, and many laughs not only in the school hallways but over the phone and at various locations. Andrew and Mercedes were matched through Best Buddies in their freshman year of high school, and now four years later, their friendship continues to flourish. They started as mere friends of course but quickly grew close to each other. They joined the bowling team, went shopping, grabbed dinner, and watched movies almost weekly. To this day, the pair still enjoys doing all of those things; they even spent their senior spring break together in St. Louis.

Andrew has introduced Mercedes to so many new ideas and outlooks on life. His positive attitude keeps Mercedes positive. There has never been a time when Andrew has not been able to make her smile. They know when one another is having a bad day, and they know exactly how to make it better. Everyone knows them as the dynamic duo, and Mercedes cannot think of a better way to describe their friendship. Her friends know Andrew is always invited to wherever they are going, and they know that he is almost always going to come. When Mercedes asked Andrew what he thought about Best Buddies and how their friendship has impacted him he replied, “It’s very good. Like a dream come true.” She could not agree with him more. Andrew and Mercedes have created a friendship that will last a lifetime, and she would not trade it for the world.

Amber Steel, advisor for Urbandale High School’s Best Buddies chapter states “Mercedes is a perfect testament to a friendship that thrives outside of Best Buddies activities as well.  Mercedes promotes friendship and inclusion every day in every aspect of her home and school life through her actions and words.”

“Andrew and Mercedes are shining examples of the mission of Best Buddies, a true friendship inside and outside of school.  Mercedes has shown exemplary leadership, compassion, and fortitude, and has truly helped bring an environment of acceptance for people with IDD to Urbandale High School.”