Best Buddies is a club at James Campbell High School. According to the Best Buddies website, its mission is to promote the special abilities of people with IDD (intellectual or developmental disability) by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers.
Members of Best Buddies and the James Campbell High School basketball team went to Nanakuli High School on Monday, November 4 to challenge other high schools around the island to rounds of basketball games. The Campbell team took home two wins. As a way to help special needs kids feel involved, they also participate in the Special Olympics to promote inclusion and to help end the stigma around intellectual disabilities.
One of the athletes, Richard Windsor (11), who helped out with the event said, “The atmosphere at Special Olympics is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Everyone there is so happy to be there and supports one another no matter what school you play for. Everyone is just supportive of you and your team no matter what. Nothing is ever taken too seriously, either, and you can tell the kids are having lots of fun.”
Senior Matheus Togiai has been in this club for three years because “participating in these events has broadened my view on friendship, making me appreciate simple and authentic connections.” He also said that volunteering with Best Buddies has taught him how deeply friendships can impact lives. He also learned a lot about patience, empathy, and the joy of celebrating small victories. With his experience, it has pushed him to focus more on inclusivity and creating environments where everyone feels welcomed. Also with these events he has met and connected with many great people along the way which later on grew into genuine friendships.
