On April 21, 2025, the Best Buddies Club had an Easter Egg Hunt with a majority of the members and their buddies. It wasn’t a long event, but it was one filled with new memories and great experiences.
There were a bunch of candies in the eggs (peanut free) and at the end of the hunt, they were even able to pick from a variety of prizes.
Best Buddies Club is filled with members who love making a positive impact on the world. And because of this, they are able to create these events that fully foster the idea of inclusion. No buddy left behind.
But it’s more than that. It’s a place where people come together despite their differences.
“Being part of Best Buddies means I get the chance to make friends with kids who might not have a lot of people to hang out with,” senior Jaden Keene mentioned. “It really makes me happy to see others smile and know I helped make that happen.”
Keene has been part of Best Buddies since sophomore year and has really bonded with one buddy, Collin.
“The event was something really special and exciting, especially because I got to enjoy it with my buddy, Collin. He and I had a blast searching for eggs,” Keene continued. “Events like this are very important because they help us bond more with our buddies. I don’t get to see Collin often, but whenever there’s an event, it’s like no time has passed. We jump right back into having fun and making memories.”
Sometimes, it’s not always easy and there are challenges that come with being part of Best Buddies, but when that happens, patience is key.
“Sometimes, it’s hard to communicate at times with the buddies but patience is the best way to get through everything and it’s definitely a lesson I’ll carry on after high school,” senior Rylee Serah Cainglet said.
Events foster a more impactful friendship between a club member and their buddy.
“These events always give a chance to be one on one with the buddies and I think it’s a great way to start new friendships,” Cainglet stated. “I love being part of Best Buddies Club because it means I get to become friends with such amazing people and guide them through these fun activities that we have planned for them.”
Sophomore Peyton Kvist has been part of Best Buddies since last school year as a freshman and has been a great attribution to as she describes the club as a family.
“The events are like one big family reunion where we can hang out with all of our friends at once,” Kvist said. “But events like this are important for the club because it shows to everyone in Best Buddies and Shadow Ridge that we will always be there to support all members of the club and outside the club.”
The event was filled with so many special moments that it was nearly impossible to pick just one part.
“It would be unfair to isolate a single moment when the event as a whole was enjoyable and during every aspect of it, I was having a great time,” junior Ashton Dyson stated.
Dyson has been part of Best Buddies since his freshman year as well, and even became the vice president, soon to be president as of next school year. He solely believes events like these are important because it’s what keeps the club going and what makes it so special.
“It’s how we keep those within the club and those we are trying to uplift both involved and engaged. Events like these are how connections are established and memories are made,” Dyson said. “During this event, I learned that not everything has to be hard or strenuous in order to be sentimental or mean something. A simple and fun event like this means a lot to so many people, myself included.”
