The 2026 Best Buddies Leadership Conference marked a milestone for Best Buddies in South Dakota, with 19 members representing the state at this year’s conference, the largest South Dakota delegation to attend BBLC in the program’s history.

The delegation included members from Watertown High School, Dakota Valley High School, and Washington High School, along with three advisors and South Dakota’s first-ever Buddy Director. Bringing together students and leaders from across the state, the group had the opportunity to connect with Best Buddies participants from across the country while learning new ways to strengthen their chapters and build more inclusive school communities.

For students attending BBLC, the experience was about more than leadership sessions and conference activities. It was a chance to meet people who share their passion for friendship and inclusion, learn from other chapters, and return to their schools with new ideas and inspiration for the year ahead. Having 19 South Dakota members together also created an opportunity for students from different chapters to get to know one another and recognize the growing Best Buddies community within their own state.

“This was such an exciting year for South Dakota at BBLC,” said Elsie Zajicek, Best Buddies Program Manager. “Having our largest delegation ever, welcoming our first Buddy Director, and seeing our students take on new leadership opportunities made this conference especially meaningful. We are so proud of the way our members represented their schools and our state.”

The conference also gave South Dakota an opportunity to celebrate one of its chapters on a national stage. Washington High School was named the recipient of the 2025–2026 Outstanding High School Chapter of the Year Award, one of the highest honors a Best Buddies chapter can receive.

Each year, one Elementary, Middle School, High School, and College chapter from across South Dakota is selected for this recognition. Chapters are honored for their commitment to the Best Buddies mission and the ways they create opportunities for friendship, inclusion, and belonging within their school communities.

Washington High School’s dedication to creating an inclusive environment and meaningful opportunities for students of all abilities truly stood out throughout the 2025–2026 school year. Their commitment to friendship and inclusion is reflected in the community they have built within their school, and their recognition is a wonderful reflection of the work of their students, advisors, and chapter leadership.

As the 2026–2027 school year begins, the members who attended BBLC will bring those experiences back to their chapters and communities. Whether it is a new idea from a leadership session, a connection made with another Best Buddies chapter, or simply the confidence that comes from being surrounded by people who believe in the same mission, each member has something to carry forward.

For Best Buddies in South Dakota, this year’s BBLC was a reminder of just how much the program has grown. Nineteen members gathered from across the state, new leaders stepped forward, and none of it went unrecognized. As another school year begins, we are excited to see where this group of students, advisors, and leaders takes Best Buddies next.