Meghan’s story began in 8th grade at a Black Hawk Middle School dance, when she noticed a person with a disability not being included in the activities, left off to the side with an aide. The next day, she approached a teacher and was determined to do something – this turned into her being invited to hangout with the students in a special education classroom during study hall. As she learned more about her peers, she started bringing friends with her to try and create more friendships. This was her first time interacting with people with disabilities and she was a little unsure at the start, but a teacher gave her a book with a spider hand puppet, introduced her to a student named Kelsey, and they became best friends by the end of that day.

“After 15 minutes, I knew this wasn’t a volunteer opportunity, this was a friendship.”

From left to right and top to bottom: Meghan and Kelsey, the first year of Best Buddies at Eastview, and Meghan and her brother Chris, with their buddies Jamie and Tyler in 2006

Meghan’s commitment to Kelsey and other students receiving special education services continued into high school – she spent most of her mornings and study halls in the SPMI (Severe to Profound Mental Impairment) room. By the time her junior year rolled around, she realized it was still only her working to befriend these peers, so she began trying to start a friendship program similar to what she had been doing in middle school.

That December, her best friend Kelsey suddenly and unexpectedly passed away, which was very hard for Meghan. After learning she was the only general education student pulled out of class to learn the news, she knew it was her calling to create an inclusive club where everyone had a friend, and she wouldn’t stop even if it took her whole high school career. A couple of weeks later, Ms. Drivas, a guidance counselor, found Meghan and proposed an idea:

“Have you ever heard of Best Buddies?”

Ms. Drivas had recently moved from another state that had Best Buddies chapters in schools and thought it was comparable to what Meghan was trying to do. Although Minnesota didn’t have a state office yet, Meghan was determined to bring Best Buddies programs to the state, and she ended up attending Best Buddies Leadership Conference in 2005 so she could learn all about starting a chapter.

“It was an awesome and exciting experience that showed me how many people cared about inclusion of people with disabilities.”

Returning home to Minnesota, Meghan felt energized and encouraged, but was quicky side barred when she learned that there were school-specific approvals she needed to start an extracurricular club. After all her work submitting a new chapter application without a state office and traveling to BBLC, she was not going to be stopped. She spent the next two hours sharing everything she had learned at BBLC, and trying to convince the vice principal to let this program happen. In the end, they agreed on some restrictions for the first year, but Best Buddies at Eastview had officially been greenlit!

The 2005-2006 school year launched the start of Best Buddies at Eastview High School! Meghan’s senior year was filled with on campus activities, one-to-one matches, and seeing the fruition of her hard work. At the end of the year, she passed the chapter on to an excited peer, and the following year, was able to fly home from college to attend Eastview Best Buddies’ first inclusive prom.

Pictures in order from left to right, top to bottom: Casey, Kathy, Meghan and Kelsey at summer school with matching shirts, Devin’s Viking themed graduation party, Pirate Day during summer school with Alex, and the whole Black Hawk Middle School group; Kathy, Sara, Jessica, Jackie, Meghan, Kelsey, Casey, Devin, Steven, Nicole, Alexis, and Mrs. Meath

Though Meghan no longer lives in Minnesota, she still returns occasionally for Best Buddies events – including this year’s Friendship Ball that Eastview hosted and the Friendship Walk.

“It’s so rewarding to see that Eastview’s chapter continues to be strong and that there are so many schools involved! This is what I wanted for Kelsey, and my other friends, Devin, Steven and Casey.”

She also has an e-buddy, Nicole, and they love updating each other on their crafting. When asked what everyone needs to know about Best Buddies, Meghan shared that the world is so much brighter and richer when we make a point of including people who aren’t the same as us.

“The coolest person you ever meet could be waiting to be your friend.”

Thank you, Meghan, for your commitment to your friendship with Kelsey, and for creating inclusive environments wherever you go!