Positive Note: The Best Buddies Prom helps you build friendships

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A group of student volunteers makes sure that all their classmates experience the joy and inclusion of going to prom.

The annual Best Buddies prom was organized this year by Charter Valley High School. Pupils from 14 different schools in the district took part.

Best Buddies is a non-profit organization that creates one-on-one friendship opportunities between volunteer students and their classmates with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

These students participate in the Life Skills school programs. The prom was held at Salvatore’s in Baldwin. Organizers said it was important for all students to feel part of the community.

“It’s one of those activities that contributes to the fact that there’s no disability,” said Buffy Face, a Chartiers Valley teacher. “No one is different from the others. It’s all our kids having a great time together.”

Volunteer student Joey Zaicek said: “This is important because everyone wants to be treated equally. Everyone wants to have fun. Everyone deserves respect, and these are my best friends. ”

This is the 13th year for the Best Buddies prom.