Precious Nebab came from the Philippines with little understanding of America and its culture, but it’s growing on her. It may not be close to home, but she has tried her best to be comfortable.

“America is very different from the Philippines. There was a lot of adjustment but I was able to adapt to it little by little. Culture and especially food was a major adjustment,” Nebab stated. 

Being a special education teacher wasn’t Nebab’s first choice but as time moved forward,  it became her main passion. 

“It’s always been my childhood dream to be a teacher. It is my first love. I was always the teacher during pretend play with my friends, but a special education teacher developed later on,” Nebab stated. 

Best Buddies has been at Shadow Ridge for quite some time. With hundreds of students involved over the years, many advisors have run it too. Although the club is mostly student-run, most of the work being done without the advisor wouldn’t be possible. After the previous Best Buddies advisor left Shadow Ridge towards the middle of the 2021-2022 school year, Nebab took over. 

Sophomore Ashton Dyson is one of the current officers for the Shadow Ridge Best Buddies as the treasurer. After joining the club, he didn’t know what to expect fully, but when he met Nebab he knew that this is where he wanted to be for the upcoming years. 

“When I first met Mrs. Nebab, I immediately thought she was very sweet. My older sister attended Shadow Ridge before I did and would always end up talking about her at home. Because of that, I already found her kind and welcoming,” Dyson said. “When I officially met her, she was exactly how I thought. I was very quiet and shy the first time we met but she didn’t force me to be more talkative or extroverted, which I very much appreciated.”

Nebab loves the way everyone comes together in the club to make the best year possible for everyone involved.

“I love that we can plan out activities that involve general education and special education students and I love that they can socialize with each other, have fun, and develop long-lasting friendships with one another,” Nebab said. 

Best Buddies helps people grow into better people and Nebab has done a great job of helping her members achieve that.

“I feel like I’ve become more caring and extroverted as both a friend and a person because of Mrs. Nebab and Best Buddies. I spent three years in online school before attending Shadow, so I didn’t get much interaction with my peers,” Dyson stated. “I started talking to Mrs.

Nebab a lot since I had to stay in her room after school. Those conversations helped me relearn to interact with people in everyday conversations. I’m not as afraid to speak my mind or suggest ideas and I’m more outgoing.” 

Nebab has made Best Buddies feel like a safe space for everyone there trying her best to make it the best club possible. 

Dyson states, “I’m absolutely happy deciding to be in Best Buddies. Not only is it the best club in the school (in my opinion) because of the size of the club and the personality of those who consistently participate in it, but because of the club itself and the meaning behind it is incredible. The special needs population at Shadow is a genuinely wonderful bunch of peers I have gotten to know over the past year or two and I am more than happy to be part of something so positive.” 

Best Buddies isn’t the easiest club to attend since consistency is a main priority, however, the challenges are worth it in the end. If interested in joining, it is hosted every Wednesday in room 210, but students have to talk to Nebab for passes and other things to be fully prepared.