Each year, Best Buddies in Ohio recognizes the outstanding efforts of the incredible people who make up our mission with Chapter Awards. Leadership is an integral part of Best Buddies’ mission of inclusion. Leaders demonstrate self-advocacy, community awareness, and serve as the voices amplifying our movement. This year, we honor:

Chapter of the Year: Edgewood High School

Edgewood High School has had an amazing school year. They gather every Wednesday as a chapter during the school day, as well as host monthly events after school. Their chapter leadership team has been committed to planning events where one-to-one friendship matches connect and build relationships. They sent four students to BBLC last summer, where they learned about effective chapter management and implemented those practices in their chapter. In addition to managing a fantastic school year, they went above and beyond by raising $4,900 as a team for the Best Buddies Friendship Walk event in Greater Cincinnati! Edgewood High School continues to live out the mission of Best Buddies through their commitment to spreading inclusion throughout their school community and making connections with their buddies. Most importantly they made 20 one-to-one friendship matches this year – more than they ever have before!

Rookie Chapter of the Year: Granville Middle and High School

We are happy to welcome Granville Middle and High School to Best Buddies in Ohio this school year! Granville has attended Best Buddies leadership training throughout the school year and is gearing up to send representatives from both schools to the Best Buddies Leadership Conference this summer. They have demonstrated dedication to making their community more inclusive and highlighted the profound impact of friendship. We are excited to see how this wonderful chapter continues to grow. They also made two one-to-one friendship matches this year and recruited 38 members for their chapter.

Buddy Pair of the Year: Autumn Young and Emilee Wharton, Wooster High School

Autumn and Emilee were matched in a one-to-one friendship this school year. When the time came to make matches, there was no doubt Autumn and Emilee would be a perfect pair. Autumn and Emilee hangout outside of school hours to have “girls’ nights” where they watch movies, eat sweet treats, and enjoy each other’s company. Best Buddies is not just an extracurricular club at Wooster High School, but rather an integrated part of the student’s day. Inclusion happens naturally in the hallways, and this is all thanks to amazing students like Autumn and Emilee.

Chapter Advisor of the Year: Victoria Santiago, Lorain County JVS High School

Victoria Santiago started a Best Buddies Friendship Chapter at Lorain County JVS in the Fall of 2023. Her hard work and dedication to providing an inclusive environment for all her students have not gone unnoticed. Victoria and her co-advisor, Sue Pohorence, help their chapter with creative activities monthly, which allows them to create incredible bonds with each other. We are so grateful for advisors like Victoria who continue advocating for students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. They made eight one-to-one friendship matches this year!

Chapter Leader of the Year: Madeline Mellert, Baldwin Wallace University

Madeline Mellert has been involved in the Baldwin Wallace University Best Buddies chapter for three years and served as the Best Buddies Chapter President this past year. Madeline has shown her dedication to Best Buddies by attending the Best Buddies leadership trainings throughout the school year and the Best Buddies Leadership Conference. She sends out weekly newsletters to her chapter members and lives the mission of Best Buddies every day. She was matched in a one-to-one friendship this year with her buddy, Alijah. They were our featured speakers at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Cleveland, because of how inspiring their story together is. This year the chapter made seven one-to-one friendship matches under Madeline’s leadership. Madeline leads the Baldwin Wallace chapter with grace, patience, strength, and has been very successful in her leadership role.