As the temperature heats up and the countdown until the end of school commences, Best Buddies Wisconsin would like to close the year with a HUGE thank-you to all of our students, chapters and volunteers for what has been another outstanding year! It’s hard to believe that another year has come and past and summer is just around the corner.
Even though summer is less than a month away, Best Buddies Wisconsin would like to continue to recognize all of your hard work and dedication from the past year.
As part of the website’s ongoing “Chapter Spotlight” series, we will feature Oak Creek High School. The chapter is a true model of what Best Buddies programs are all about—friendship, fun and acceptance.
“Best Buddies is important for students with and without intellectual disabilities. Students without intellectual disabilities are made aware of students with intellectual disabilities and students with intellectual disabilities can feel included along with everyone else. The program is just a great overall experience; it’s a real win-win,” said Raquel Thorsen.
Raquel Thorsen is the program advisor for Oak Creek high school’s Best Buddies chapter. Raquel has watched the chapter flourish since its birth nearly four years ago.
“At present we have 56 students, made up of 18 Buddy pairs and about 20 Associate Buddies. We keep growing each year, but this has been our biggest year.”
While it has been the chapter’s biggest year, it has also been one of its busiest years yet. Oak Creek has held several events including: a winter Olympics party with games, torch making, and Olympic style cookies, a successful “End the R-Word” campaign, a spring carnival complete with carnival style games and prizes, and an upcoming end of the year kickball tournament with a few very special guests.
“We’re very excited to have the Brewer’s Racing Sausages at our tournament. We plan to race with them and take lots of pictures!”
Another new program for the chapter was a very special entrance into the school’s annual Homecoming parade. First, students voted on a “prince” and “princess.” The prince and princess then received the royal treatment, getting dressed up, riding in a convertible, and throwing out candy as stars in the parade.
“The kids who made prince and princess were just thrilled to dress up and ride in convertible. They were so happy smiling and waving to the crowd.”
Raquel shared that she has tried to incorporate Best Buddies into the students’ day to day lives at school. Through the “Walking Club,” Buddy Pairs are given the opportunity to spend quality one-on-one time during their study halls as they walk the halls for “golden shoes” that can earn the students prizes.
Although Oak Creek has experienced another rewarding year, Raquel feels improvements can always be made. She shared, “Next year I would like to do a bigger community service project, possibly something with the Hunger Task Force.”
Best Buddies Oak Creek has certainly had a memorable year. Even though Best Buddies takes a break during the summer months, it is never too early to start planning for the fall! Remember the friendships you have made and the memories you will never forget. Have a fantastic summer!
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