On May 31st, over 70 students and their families gathered at Meridian High School to celebrate the class of 2025 at the Best Buddies Graduation Brunch.
We recognized the Student Advisory Board, outstanding chapters, advisors, and leaders.
The inaugural Best Buddies Leader of the Year award went to Josh Hyams of Langley High School. Josh showed his dedication to our mission of inclusion by inviting his friends to club meetings, working fundraising events, and attending the 2024 Leadership Conference at Indiana University.
“I enjoyed seeing the Best Buddies community at Langley really grow and flourish and loved seeing everyone grow closer with the buddies and with one another,” Josh said.
Josh has been involved with Best Buddies since he arrived at Langley High School. All throughout his high school career, he continuously showed his dedication to our mission of inclusion, inviting his friends to club meetings, working fundraising events, and attending the 2024 Leadership Conference at Indiana University.
During his senior year, Josh stepped up and led the chapter not just by talking about inclusion but rather by letting his actions as a peer buddy, as a Chapter President, and as a friend to all shine. His peers and advisors all speak so highly of him, he’s well-respected by all and he is setting the standard of what a Chapter President should and could be. He is kind and empathetic and always ready to step-up and lend a hand.
“I saw the award as more of a representation of the Langley chapter as a whole vs my own leadership,” Josh said. “Nothing that I did this year would’ve been possible without my incredible leadership team and faculty advisor.”
“I’d like to give a shout-out to my whole executive board, specifically my vice presidents Anya and Shiela, my faculty advisor Mrs. Terry Freeman, and my parents for pushing me every day.”
Congratulations to Josh, the Class of 2025, and all of the Outstanding Chapters and Advisors.
Outstanding Chapters
- Elementary School: Bonnie Brae Elementary School (Fairfax, VA)
- Middle School: Glasgow Middle School (Alexandria, VA)
- High School: Alexandria City High School (Alexandria, VA)
- College: Georgetown University (Washington DC)
Outstanding Advisors
- Elementary School: Michelle Small of Vienna Elementary School
- Middle School: Kara Charpentier of John Francis Education Campus
Check out this article from Fairfax County Public Schools about their Best Buddies accomplishments.
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