Best Buddies, November Student Club of the Month
Best Buddies has been recognized as November’s Student Club of the Month for its outstanding commitment to inclusivity, connection, and community leadership on campus. Led by an executive board including Christian Florencia, McLain Ward, Francesca Schaub, Olivia Phelps, Mandy Frieswick, Kathleen de Winter, Peyton Auriemma, Paige Moroney, and Maggie Murphy, the club continues to set a powerful example of empathy, accessibility, and meaningful relationship-building between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In November, the club hosted a highly successful Halloween/Fall-themed event featuring team mummy wrapping, a costume contest, pumpkin painting, and other interactive activities. The event fostered genuine connection and teamwork, highlighting the group’s mission to create joyful, shared experiences that bring the entire community together. Their consistent collaboration, communication, and thoughtful planning reflect the club’s deep commitment to running an organized and impactful student-led organization.
As a fully student-driven club, Best Buddies has navigated challenges such as student retention, continually adapting their approach to strengthen engagement. This year, increased member meetings and a growing slate of student-focused events have already made a noticeable difference in building a strong, active community. Looking ahead to 2025–2026, the club aims to expand fundraising efforts through a collaboration with Bitty & Beau’s, deepen buddy pair programming, and create a formal transition plan to ensure leadership continuity.
