On April 18, Griffith High School Best Buddies hosted the annual Friendship Walk to raise money for Best Buddies Indiana and celebrate inclusion.
This year was much different than previous years for the Friendship Walk. Due to COVID-19, Best Buddies Indiana was unable to host a countywide walk, which left schools in Lake County to create their own celebrations.
“The best part of the Friendship Walk this year was that it was at home in Central Park, and other people could come,” said Secretary of Best Buddies, Kylie Bell.
Griffith High School was the top fundraising school in Lake County this year, raising a total of $6,250.
“Fundraising for the Friendship Walk is important because it goes to a great cause, and it makes events like the Friendship Walk possible,” said Vice President of Best Buddies Gretchen Zambo.
Best Buddies club members began raising money in February to ensure a great outcome of funding.
“The idea that we were able to get new chapters started throughout the state, including one in a Griffith elementary school, because of how much money we raised is rewarding,” said Best Buddies Advisor Melissa Diekelmann.
The funding from the annual Friendship Walk goes to Best Buddies Indiana to open new chapters at schools, to provide housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and to pay employees working to push the Best Buddies mission.
The mission of Best Buddies is to break the barrier between integration to inclusion by creating one-on-one friendships between those with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“I believe best buddies is great and an important club to be involved in because it is something that makes me smile everyday when I’m with them,” said Treasurer of Best Buddies Kya Osborn. “It’s something that the students enjoy and I believe it’s something everyone should try to be involved in because you build bonds and friendships that last forever.”
Griffith High School shows its passion for inclusion by celebrating students inside and out of Best Buddies for how truly special they are.
Student spotlight
Eighteen-year-old Junior Peyton Willis was the highest fundraising member of Best Buddies at Griffith High School.
Willis raised $2,250 towards the Friendship Walk fundraiser.
“I couldn’t have done it without all of my amazing donors and supporters,” said Willis.
This year, Willis serves as Media and Photos Officer in Best Buddies. That position requires handling Griffith High School Best Buddies’ social media and serving as an event photographer, capturing every moment at each event.
Willis has been a member of Best Buddies for five years.
“I joined Best Buddies because it drew me in the second I met the students. They give me a reason to smile every day and have helped me spread inclusion to all of my family and friends,” Willis said.
Outside of Best Buddies, Willis plays varsity softball, basketball, and volleyball and unified bowling and track while also participating in various clubs such as National Honor Society, class council, international foods, and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).
After high school, Willis plans to attend college to pursue a career with children.
“Children bring so much light to this world, and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” said Willis.
Willis is passionate about the mission of Best Buddies and will continue to participate in the club as long as it is available to her.
“Best Buddies pushes for inclusion and friendships that will last a lifetime and gives me the opportunity to work with so many amazing students,” said Willis.
Best Buddies has become a large part not only of Willis’ high school career, but her heart.
Teacher spotlight
Melissa Diekelmann is the Intense Interventions at Griffith High School. She has worked at Griffith High School for eight years.
Diekelmann became the sponsor of Best Buddies six years ago, when the program was first introduced to Griffith High School.
“Best Buddies needs to be in all schools. It is so important for students with intellectual disabilities to be included and immersed into all of a school’s culture. It is also important for students without disabilities to be around and interact with them,” Diekelmann said.
Best Buddies has been a large aspect of Diekelmann’s life for the past six years.
“My absolute favorite part of Best Buddies is seeing how excited my students get when they see their buddies or other members outside of our events. Knowing that they’ve made these friendships with kids who they might never get to know normally makes my heart so happy,” said Diekelmann.
Before being employed by Griffith Public Schools, Diekelmann grew up in Dolton, Illinois, as well as Munster, Indiana. She later pursued a college degree in health science and in organizational leadership and supervision at Purdue University, as well as a master’s degree in education from Indiana University Northwest.
Diekelmann’s students value her in such a big way, as well as the members of Best Buddies. Her students and the high school are thankful for the years she has spent teaching, loving, and caring about all of her students, whether they be in her classroom or at Best Buddies.