Love and friendship were in the air this Valentine’s Day as Best Buddies in Utah Citizens chapter joined the Best Buddies chapter at Cyprus High School for a festive and joy-filled celebration. The student-led event brought together chapter members and community participants for an afternoon centered on connection, creativity, and fun!

Students at Cyprus High planned a variety of Valentine’s Day–themed activities to ensure everyone felt included and celebrated. Attendees enjoyed making colorful crafts, designing handmade Valentine’s cards, and creating friendship bracelets to exchange with their buddies. The bracelet-making station quickly became a favorite, with beads in every shade of pink, red, and white covering the tables as new friendships were strengthened one string at a time.

One of the biggest highlights of the afternoon was the Valentine’s photo booth. Complete with festive backdrops and playful props, the photo op was an instant hit. Buddies laughed, posed with heart-shaped glasses and signs, and captured sweet memories together. The smiles were contagious, and the photos perfectly reflected the spirit of the day.

“It was so special to see everyone come together and just have fun,” said Tapanga Riggs, Cyprus student and chapter leader. “Best Buddies is all about friendship, and this event really showed how much love and support we have for each other.”

The event not only celebrated Valentine’s Day but also highlighted the mission of Best Buddies: building meaningful friendships and fostering inclusion.

“Seeing the connections between our students and community members is why we do what we do,” shared a Best Buddies Utah intern. “Events like this remind us that friendship is something worth celebrating every single day.”

From crafts to cameras, the Valentine’s celebration at Cyprus High was a beautiful reminder that when friends come together, every day feels a little more special.