If eighth grader Phoebe Chalker had her way, there would already be a Best Buddies program at Vandeventer Middle School. Until that happens, Phoebe is happy to help the high school’s program led by her mom, teacher Julia Chalker.

“I saw my mom working and doing stuff and I love to be with kids,” Phoebe Chalker said. “I just thought that this would be perfect.”

Her mother’s background has been a huge inspiration for Phoebe throughout this process.

“I have been working in the Special Ed Department at Liberty since it opened, so this is my tenth year at Liberty,” mom Julia said. “But I have been in and out of the business since the early eighties.”

Her mom’s decades of experience in the area, along with a family member’s personal experience have given Phoebe lots to rely on.

“I have an uncle with autism,” Phoebe said. “So I already know a lot and I love to hang out with him.”

Her mom is proud that Phoebe wishes to take after her.

“It makes my heart very happy to see that she is following my footsteps too but also seeing her interact with her students,” Julia said. “You should see her with her uncle.”

Rylee McHenry, the president of the school’s Best Buddies program definitely can relate to Phoebe.

“I totally wish I had Best Buddies in middle school,” McHenry said. “While I was in middle school, I had no idea there was anything out there like Best Buddies, but if I had known, I would’ve probably fought to get it. The club would’ve made such an impact at Fowler, on both the peer buddies and the buddies, similar to the impact it’s made at Liberty.”

McHenry is proud to say that Fowler Middle School is now opening up a chapter of Best Buddies and Phoebe hopes to be able to say the same about Vandeventer some day.

“Last year we were going to have a best buddies [at Vandeventer], but we didn’t have enough students to really start it,” Phoebe said. “I hope that changes soon.”