The squeaking of sneakers and thumping of dribbled basketballs echoed through the Marblehead High School field house last week as over a dozen Best Buddies club members took over center court.
The student-run Best Buddies chapter promotes friendships among MHS students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.
During halftime of the varsity boys’ basketball game against Gloucester High School, Buddies in grades 9-12 teamed up to shoot hoops and chat, highlighting the inclusive environment cultivated by the popular program. Oftentimes, neuro-typical students are paired with a fellow student with a disability.
“I think it shows that — there are 150 people in the club — it’s the one that everyone wants to get involved in,” said sophomore chapter officer Jack Molinari.
Molinari is a bit of a legacy, because his dad “was in Best Buddies, and he’s in his 50s.”
Molinari joined Best Buddies at the start of freshman year, inspired by the way students across social groups bonded through the club. He said Best Buddies events attract “kids that are different grades, different genders.”
Senior Caitlyn Cuzner echoed Molinari’s sentiments, reflecting on her four years of involvement with Best Buddies.
“It’s fun for kids and … friendship,” Cuzner said.
The game marked one of many Best Buddies events held throughout the year to forge such friendships. Others have included a Halloween party, movie outings, Valentine’s Day card-making and more. Chapter adviser and MHS physical education teacher Michael Lavender, who has guided the school’s Best Buddies chapter for about 15 years, said he most enjoys “seeing the smiles on their faces” referring to students at Best Buddies events.
MHS seniors Grace Mortensen and Maddie Bontaites joined Best Buddies their freshman year thanks to encouragement from friends like the club’s co-president and senior, Aviva Vornstein, whose brother was involved when he attended MHS. Through Best Buddies, Mortensen has formed friendships she believes may not have happened otherwise.
“It’s always nice to see them in the halls because we don’t see them as much as we’d like to,” Bontaites said of the Buddies she doesn’t share classes with at MHS.
Lavender said many Best Buddies bring in extra volunteers for service projects, parties and other bonding activities throughout the year.
“I couldn’t do it without Tracey,” Lavender said, referring to paraprofessional Tracy Lichtig, who co-advises the group.
He said the chapter also accepts community donations, which in the past have helped fund tickets for Buddies to attend events like Boston Bruins games and movies at the Warwick.
“At the end of the day…these great events are done through fundraising and sponsorships, car washes and raffles,” Lavender said, praising his students’ entrepreneurship.
Overall, Lavender believes the chapter positively impacts campus climate beyond those directly involved, by promoting broader acceptance
“It just shows inclusiveness, kindness,” Lavender said as students sat in the bleachers. “Our students are accepted everywhere. That’s really what Best Buddies is about.”
