I first saw the vision of exactly who I wanted to be during my freshman year of high school, sitting in the auditorium at a club meeting. Earlier that day, I had noticed a flyer for an organization called Best Buddies in the hallway. I had no idea what it was about, but the words “inclusion” and “friendship” glowed on the flyer like neon lights. Something inside me told me I had to be a part of it.
Rarely do we get to pinpoint the exact moment when we are transformed into the best version of ourselves. But that day, as I sat in the crowded call-out meeting and looked up at the line of upperclassmen girls and the young man with Down syndrome on the Best Buddies leadership team, I experienced that moment. They spoke passionately about the importance of including peers with disabilities, forming meaningful friendships, and how Best Buddies had profoundly changed their lives. I had no way of knowing that the next three years would lead me to stand on that same stage as a member of the leadership team, speaking from my heart about how deeply Best Buddies had shaped me—so passionately, in fact, that tears would come to my eyes. I could never have imagined receiving the “Most Outstanding Chapter of the Year” award as president in my senior year or interning for Best Buddies Indiana the following summer. Best Buddies would introduce me to my closest friends, fly me to D.C. to represent the organization, connect me with like-hearted people around the world, and guide me toward the career path I follow today.
Throughout my four years in Best Buddies, I lived, breathed, and dreamed the organization. For those unfamiliar, Best Buddies is an international nonprofit dedicated to creating a more inclusive world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its mission rests on three pillars: integrated employment, friendship, and leadership opportunities for people with disabilities. With chapters in all 50 U.S. states and across the globe, Best Buddies in schools focuses on forming friendships between students with and without disabilities. Members can be matched in one-to-one friendships for the entire year, allowing connections to deepen and grow.
During my sophomore, junior, and senior years, I was matched with Ryan, a friendship that has lasted well beyond high school and continued throughout my college years. For the past five years, we’ve not missed a single day of texting, and we’ve been by each other’s sides through the major life transitions—from high school graduation to college, and now as we inch closer to adulthood. Ryan is a sports fanatic and a walking encyclopedia of nearly every sport on TV. He managed our high school football and swimming teams and was one of the most popular students in the halls. There wasn’t a person in school Ryan didn’t know or wouldn’t be friends with. Though our interests didn’t always align, we shared some constants: pizza, Uno, brownies, and Sorry. Countless hours were spent on my living room floor during high school—and later, when I visited home from college—playing board games, laughing at old memories, and making new ones. Ryan is like a brother. He has become an integral part of my family, joining in on board games with my brother, discussing sports with my dad, chatting at the dinner table with my mom, and even forming a bond with my boyfriend.
Before Best Buddies, I had no prior experience interacting with peers with intellectual or developmental disabilities. I had good intentions, but I didn’t know how to bridge the gap. They seemed so different from me, and I was unsure how to connect. To anyone who feels this way, I encourage you to continue reaching out and making the effort. The beginning might feel awkward, and that’s okay—it’s a shared experience. By observing and learning from my peers, I discovered something beautiful: people with disabilities are far more similar than different. We all want the same things—to be included, valued, and respected. Once that realization truly sank into my heart, interacting with my friends with disabilities became effortless, natural, and joyful.
My experiences in Best Buddies fueled my passion for working with and empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through the organization, I discovered some of my favorite work experiences as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and respite care worker. Hired by several agencies throughout high school and college, I worked one-on-one with children and adults with Down syndrome and loved every minute. My mission as a DSP and respite worker was to empower my clients, help them recognize and achieve their goals, and build confidence in their abilities. The most fulfilling part was seeing someone I supported flourish—it’s a feeling that stays with you forever.
As high school progressed, I started thinking about college and career paths. During my junior year, a friend on the Best Buddies leadership team mentioned studying Nonprofit Management, and my heart raced with excitement. I realized I could turn my passion for Best Buddies—and helping others—into a lifelong career. When I discovered that Indiana University offered a major in Nonprofit Management and Leadership, there was no doubt in my mind that this was the path for me. After graduation, I interned with Best Buddies Indiana, gaining exposure to the broader nonprofit world. Following my freshman year of college, I interned with Susan G. Komen of Central Indiana and volunteered for multiple nonprofits. I was a Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters and volunteered weekly at Wonderlab, an interactive science museum for children. During my sophomore year, I became a program assistant for the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington and even founded a weekly yoga program for K–6th graders. Now, as I approach the end of my college journey, I hope to continue this work with the Indiana University Foundation after graduation.
Over the past seven years, my involvement with these organizations has taught me something invaluable: nothing compares to the feeling of truly helping someone and improving their life. It’s addictive. Knowing that your presence brought a smile, created an opportunity, or helped someone succeed fuels you even during the toughest moments when you feel drained or hopeless. Best Buddies showed me how to connect, empower, and uplift others—and in turn, it helped me become the person I had always dreamed of being.
