With six pins down and unwavering focus, Joey Higginson, graduating class of ‘23, rolls his bowling ball down the lane. As the rest of the pins clattered down with a clean thrash, he turned to junior Abigail Fuller to rejoice with two high-fives.
On Feb. 29th, Best Buddies held their bowling event. After last year’s game being a huge hit among the club, the team carries on the tradition for their second year. Joey made much of the energy carried among his teammates at the lane.
“There’s so much action and love all around,” Joey said. “I get to cheer on all my friends here. I’m not winning, but I don’t play to win. I play to have fun.”
As Best Buddies gears towards their annual Buddy Bowl today, they have a deal of new events and festivities for the rest of the club’s school year. Coco Dannis, senior, admires the new level of team contribution to this year’s club.
“I’ve just noticed so many more people showing up this year. It’s a whole new level of commitment all around,” she said. “There’s a new level of mandatory requirements, sending in photos and going to events, but it’s honestly helped us all come together. It’s all relaxed, it’s fun, but it’s also important.”
Exceptional needs assistant Mr. Patrick Raleigh and Best Buddies sponsor Ms. Linda Ramos introduced Unified Track, promoting inclusion among buddies and peers on the field. Unified track isn’t a brand new idea to the face of Munster, with a basketball team four years ago and other unified teams. They both reapproached this old concept and established the team two months ago, holding their first call-out on Feb. 27.
“We had about 40 or so students that came to our first call-out,” Ms. Ramos said. “It’s heartwarming to know that this good bunch came interested to join. I hope it helps a push towards more inclusive teams in the future for us.
The team shortly followed with their first practice on March 5. Among other Unified Track teams in the region, there will be three meets in mid-April.Although Head Coach Mr. Pat looks forward to future tournaments, he holds a prize greater than most.
“It’s not to win medals. It’s not to win state. We don’t have to worry about that,” Mr. Pat said. “But they can have fun. They can get to know what it’s like to have people cheering and hollering for them from the stands towards that finish line.”
For other new projects to anticipate for Best Buddies, Olivia Hughes, senior and club president, has been capturing glimpses of each event to work towards her assembly of a Best Buddies yearbook.
“I know I’ve always liked looking through the yearbooks to look for me or my friends. It’s just a part of that high school experience,” Olivia said. “I wanted to showcase all of the events we’re doing and give everyone that same excitement of seeing yourself in the picture.”
Noah Galosich, senior, is a first-year member of the club under the influence of his sister, Lily. He shares his own insight towards the club’s welcoming community.
“It’s a very open environment,” he said. “By keeping up events like this and taking pictures with each other, everyone’s here to have a good time and make memories that’ll last.”
