At Westerville South, one of the most impactful and uplifting student organizations is Best Buddies, a club dedicated to creating genuine friendships between students with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their peers.
According to advisor Ann Rumpke, the club’s mission is to “foster inclusion for students with disabilities and help create lasting friendships, community, and connection to diverse peers.”
Although the chapter is still relatively new, advisor Rumpke has already seen students grow in confidence, improve their conversational skills, and become more comfortable connecting with peers they might not normally interact with.
Junior Allen Price, joined after being recommended by a teacher. This simple choice transformed his mindset and introduced him to so many incredible people. One of his favorite memories so far has been “getting together with everyone and playing games and enjoying the presence of everyone and just having fun.”
Another member, junior Jocelyn Hartings, said the decision to join felt personal. “Having someone to sit with at lunch has always been a big fear for everyone, coming to the first day having the question ‘Who will I sit with?’” she said. “Giving my buddy the ability to know for sure that he will have someone to sit with every Friday is the least I can do.”
Moments with the club have stayed with Hartings, especially their Thanksgiving celebration. She described it as “a Thanksgiving feast with everything you could think of,” and said it captured the warmth and community that Best Buddies works to build.
Best Buddies hosts activities each month that encourage connection through relaxed, low-pressure experiences. Because transportation and scheduling can be challenging for some students, advisors intentionally plan most events during the school day or at school-based activities.
Over time, the club has become meaningful for both the buddies and the peer mentors. Hartings said she often hears students in the special needs classrooms talk about how much they look forward to their Friday meetings.
“Usually there’s a movie, and we just hang out and talk,” she said. She’s especially excited for the upcoming cookie-decorating days on Dec. 17 and 18.
Beyond the activities, Best Buddies plays an important role in helping every student feel valued and supported. For students with disabilities, the program provides opportunities to build friendships, practice social skills, and gain confidence. For peer buddies, involvement develops empathy, leadership, and a deeper understanding of inclusion.
Rumpke hopes students “gain friendship and connection through Best Buddies, and feel more comfortable around those who may be different from themselves.”
Allen says the program’s environment is what makes it truly special. “People need to know that this program is an open place to talk and get stuff off your chest. People will listen to you. You will not be ignored,” he said.
