Grandview Heights High School will be home to the first high school Best Buddies Chapter in Ohio. Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to establishing one-to-one friendships between individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). An international effort, Best Buddies International, was founded in 1989 by Anthony Shriver.

On September 24, a school-wide assembly introduced the program and opportunity to the student body. Led by Best Buddies student leaders and organizers, the assembly informed students about Best Buddies and shared how to get involved and support Best Buddies both at the local school and state levels.

Special guest, Avery Stinchfield, an Ohio State University student, and his buddies from high school and college shared their stories. Student leaders who attended a Best Buddies summer conference also shared their experiences and offered suggestions to students on how to become involved with Best Buddies of GHHS.

The Best Buddies mission is to build an overall school and community environment that fosters acceptance for ALL through friendship. Best Buddies members will be advocates for friendship and will help other students to reach out and get to know each other as well. Students involved gain empathy, confidence, leadership skills, and an overall feeling of pride and accomplishment.

The entire community is encouraged to better understand and embrace inclusivity for all. "Inclusive is one of the five key words that ultimately underpin what we call “The Bobcat Way” in our building as a part of our PBIS initiative (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports)," said Ken Chaffin, Grandview Heights High School Principal.

This year marks the 100th year commencement anniversary of Grandview Heights High School. On Friday, September 26, at the alumni football game, Best Buddies of GHHS is taking the opportunity to spread the word about the new Best Buddies club. Best Buddies of GHHS will have a booth where they will be selling wristbands and t-shirts. Additionally, there will be the opportunity to register for the Friendship Walk (October 26th at Fred Beekman Park), a fundraising effort designed to bring a state office for Best Buddies to Ohio.

Best Buddies of GHHS, Larry Larson Middle School Bobcat Buddies, and RLS Supports Best Buddies are having a friendly competition to see which school can raise the most money to support the Friendship Walk. If GHHS wins, students will be granted an extra long lunch on a Friday after the walk.

For additional information and thoughts on the Best Buddies announcement and program, please visit http://www.bestbuddies.org/ and http://kenchaffin.wordpress.com.