Best Buddies is holding its annual winter party Thursday after school, starting at 4:30 p.m. and going until 6:30 p.m. 

Freshman Harley Classe is hoping the party will give her a chance to interact with other members of the club.

“This is one of the first parties I’ll be going to for Best Buddies, and it’ll give me a chance to spend time with my peer buddy and friends,” Classe said. “I want to be involved in something greater than myself.”

Also excited for the party is English teacher Suzanne Shuping, one of two sponsors for the club’s chapter this year. 

“Celebrating and having fun with students is always great, and this gives our students with IDDs a safe place to have fun, socialize with people their own age, and make new friends,” Shuping said, via email. “I’m hoping events like these will encourage students to reach out more to others when they see them around school and help them feel like they belong.”

Club secretary Carter Bianchin believes the party will connect students and allow them to get to know each other better. 

“It’s a great time to socialize and collaborate with others, and I think it’s a good way to include others into our club,” Bianchin said. “I think it’s just human nature to want to be accepted and when people feel accepted, they ultimately feel better about themselves.”