Saturday is widely known as “Star Wars Day”, but this year it also is when the annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk is at Rough Riders Stadium, and is one of over 70 walks being held worldwide to help raise money for the Best Buddies organization and raises awareness about inclusion surrounding those with disabilities.

“The Friendship Walk is important because it brings us together as a community first of all, and raises awareness for inclusion,” Best Buddies vice president, junior Addyson Schick said. “That’s what Best Buddies is all about – bringing people together.”

This year’s Friendship Walk is especially meaningful for senior Zosh Shearer. He has been participating in the Friendship Walk since his freshman year, and is excited to attend the event for one last time.

“I love walking and exploring nature and it makes me happy,” Shearer said. “I even get to see my friends!”

Besides walking, the event also features booths from other schools, lots of music, and an opportunity to meet new people also involved with Best Buddies.

“My favorite part is seeing all my friends, walking with them, and having a great time,” Shearer said. “The music is fun too.”

In preparation for the Friendship Walk, some Redhawks have set up fundraising pages in order to meet the Liberty chapter’s goal.

“We raise money for the friendship walk and it goes to our big North Texas Best Buddies program as a whole,” Schick said. “And then it’ll fund back out to our little schools and other organizations that have Best Buddies.”

This year Schick will be recognized at the Friendship Walk as a Legacy Leader, or someone who has raised $1,000 or more for Best Buddies. 

“I’m super proud of all the money we’ve raised!” Best Buddies advisor Cynthia Kays said. “The kids have all done a great job and [the Friendship Walk] is going to be great.”