In February, 60 students came together in-person and online for Back to Best Buddies. Chapter leaders kicked off the new semester by registering for the Friendship Walk, personalizing their pages, and starting their school’s team page. By the end of the day, all their school teams were started, and the fundraising competition was on!

“The Friendship Walk is one of the biggest events Best Buddies does, and it is definitely the one that means the most to a lot of our students,” said Grace from George Mason University. “Everyone is so excited to be back with everyone at the Friendship Walk.”

Heading into spring and preparing for the next school year, students learned about the new chapter president selection process and the opportunity to attend Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC). Several members who attended BBLC in 2024 shared their advice and favorite memories.

This semester, Tilda from Meridian High School is excited to “continuing to grow relationships with the community at Meridian and the Friendship Walk.”

Students also learned about supporting matches and how to face common chapter challenges.

“[Best Buddies] is about inclusion—creating safe spaces where everyone can be welcome,” said Olivia from George Mason University. “When I went to college, Best Buddies was one of the first clubs I joined, and it is where I met some of my best friends.”

Back to Best Buddies also gave students an opportunity to connect with chapter leaders from other schools to learn from one another and brainstorm ideas.

“[Best Buddies] has helped me meet new people and make new friends,” said Adam from Meridian High School. “I have met people from different schools that I would’ve never crossed paths with before!”

At the end of the day, students left feeling prepared and motivated to lead their chapters towards success.

“I learned about ways to fundraise, and my social skills got better because I got to talk a lot,” said Brady from Centreville High School. “I used to be really shy but Best Buddies helped me come out of my shell!”

Are you interested in starting a Best Buddies chapter at your school? Reach out to Program Supervisor Veah Velasco at VeahVelasco@BestBuddies.org.