Midview Local School District is excited to announce that Best Buddies International has named Midview High School the Ohio Chapter of the Year.
Best Buddies is a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In the K-12 setting, Best Buddies chapters operate as a student-run friendship club, creating buddy pairs between students with and without disabilities.
Ohio Chapter of the Year recipients are selected based on chapter engagement, participation in Best Buddies Ohio events, and leadership among teachers and students.
“Our chapter president Bobbi Wervey has done an incredible job planning events and promoting our club. Her dedication, among others, has grown Best Buddies into one of the largest clubs at Midview High School,” said Katie Evin, MHS Best Buddies Advisor and Intervention Specialist. "This year, 23 friendship matches were formed between Midview students, which is the most we have ever had. We look forward to further strengthening our chapter and ensuring our students with disabilities continue to have memorable and meaningful high school experiences.”
The Midview High School Best Buddies chapter meets each month to enjoy fun social events such as pumpkin picking, arts and crafts, karaoke, scavenger hunts, bowling, and much more. The chapter also participates in service projects, volunteering its time at community events.
This year, Midview’s chapter was selected to speak at the Best Buddies Champion of the Year Gala about the positive impact the program has had on the school and community. Other chapter highlights for the year included, organizing a Best Buddies Ball for individuals with special needs in the community, participating in a county-wide Special Athletics Competition, and raising awareness and funds in support of Best Buddies’ mission of inclusion through a Friendship Walk.
“Midview High School and the Grafton community have embraced inclusion fully,” said Catlin Skufca, Best Buddies in Ohio State Director. “They have worked with Best Buddies closely throughout the last five years to grow awareness for inclusion programs in the area, and I’m thrilled to see them recognized. The amazing students, parents, and faculty at the school are leaders that inspire Best Buddies to continue growing across Ohio.”
Midview Local Schools became one of the first districts in Northeast Ohio to establish a chapter after the Best Buddies organization opened a state office in 2016. Today, 39 total middle school, high school, and college chapters are active in the state.