Best Buddies coming to DHS

Posted on: Sep 9, 2019

A new program at Delano High School aims to build relationships among students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities this year.

“We have a wonderful special ed. program in Delano, but these kids sometimes get left out when it comes to inviting them to football games or social events at the school,” said Darlene Sundheim, a paraprofessional at Delano Elementary School who learned about the Best Buddies International organization last year and saw an opportunity to benefit students in Delano.

Sundheim worked with DES Principal Darren Schuler, his wife, Jennifer, and his son, Sam, to support the organization’s presence in Minnesota last fall, and the plan is to start a chapter at DHS this year. DHS math teacher Lydia Wissink and special ed. teacher Julie Semeizer will oversee the group, which will be run by junior student Bridget Sundheim, Darlene’s daughter, along with other student leaders.

Wissink and Bridget Sundheim attended a Best Buddies leadership conference at Indiana University this summer to lay the groundwork for Delano’s chapter.

“I think it will take off,” Bridget Sundheim said. “Delano already has such a good community when it comes to getting everybody involved.”

Best Buddies
The Best Buddies organization originated with Eunice Kennedy Shriver in the 1960s, and like Special Olympics exists to break down barriers between those with and without disabilities. Students are paired up and get together for at least one group event and one unstructured event per month, and communicate with their buddy on a regular basis – at least once a week. 

“It’s very similar to adapted basketball or adapted bowling, but this is focused on friendships and building relationships,” said Wissink. “We’ll do a lot of different activities. We’ll maybe do a Halloween party, or decorate cookies, or go to a hockey game together. We’ll all do things together, and then the buddies can go to a movie together or do different things that you would do with your friends anyway. You just do it with your buddy, and that way they can do something they might not normally be included in. It’s all about becoming friends and realizing that all people have a right to explore, express and find their gifts and purpose.”

The Best Buddies organization is found in all 50 states and in 53 countries worldwide. Beyond high school, the organization also has programs for employment, leadership development and independent living.

“It teaches kids life skills so they can go out and be productive. So this is the first step to a long (opportunity) that Best Buddies offers all through the world,” Darlene Sundheim said.

Getting started
While the vision has been cast, Bridget Sundheim and the assisting faculty are currently in the recruiting stage to get the chapter established. Most importantly, students with and without disabilities need to sign up. Information was shared at the high school open house, and letters have been shared with families in the special education program.

“Basically, it is student-run,” said Semeizer. “Lydia and I, once we get it off the ground, will step back and Bridget, along with some other student officers, will run it. We just oversee it. This is for any disability area and any level, from significant needs to maybe just a little bit of social need.”

Over time, it’s possible the Best Buddies program will flow down into the intermediate and elementary schools, but for now the focus will be on establishing the high school program. To accomplish that, Wissink and Semeizer said they are seeking community donations to help cover expenses for outings and transportation, along with chapter dues. Those dues give the local group a Best Buddies staff contact who provides materials and answers questions, provides access to a wealth of resources, and covers the cost of a student’s attendance at a leadership conference.

“We don’t want to ask our students to do any fundraising individually. So we’re going to do it all on our end and do it through sponsorships,” said Wissink. “If anyone would like to donate, we would love it.”

Even more important, in the short term, is developing enough participation from the student body to proceed. Those of all interests and abilities are welcome.
“We need students,” said Bridget Sundheim. “For kids in NHS, this is a good way to get hours.”

“The beautiful thing is that there is no requirement to be part of it,” said Wissink. “If you can be a friend, that’s all there is to it. You don’t have to like basketball or have a certain grade point average. It’s open to everybody. We just want people to be involved, to make friendships and be inclusive.”

For more information, contact Wissink at lydia.wissink@delanoschools.org or Semeizer at julie.semeizer@delanoschools.org. 
 

Post Categories: High School