Washington-Lee Best Buddies Program Wins Award

Exciting news from our friends at Washington-Lee High School! Best Buddies, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for one-on-one friendships, employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has recognized Arlington’s own W-L for its outstanding Best Buddies program. As reported by W-L’s Chapter President, Sally Ancheva:

“In July 2015, Washington-Lee HS’s Best Buddies team attended the annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference in Bloomington, Indiana. At the conference, the W-L chapter was named “Most Outstanding High School Chapter” in the world for the year of 2014-2015. After a 25 page application filled out by the W-L president, Sally Ancheva, and the two VPs, Phelan Burns and Tara Dolan, the chapter was granted this prestigious honor. The Best Buddies International organization recognized W-L for excellence in one-to-one friendships, frequent events, presence in the community, and overall spirit of inclusion found at W-L. The Washington-Lee BB chapter has over 125 members and has also received awards such as “Top Fundraisers” raising over $6,500 and “Second Largest Team” with 150 members at the 2014 Best Buddies 5K. The program continues to grow as new freshmen enter the school and is looking to continue its tradition of excellence and inclusion for many years to come. The ultimate goal is to promote inclusion to such an extent that one day, programs like Best Buddies are no longer needed, and students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can form their own friendships and attend all school events, just like their peers. Through Best Buddies and its dedicated members, we are closer to this goal everyday.”

Way to go, W-L Best Buddies!