Bloomington High School North, Nikean, 2017, Page 95

Description:	J.?5-toSMmtytfte-■ ■ ■Spread the Wordto End the Wordstory by: Emma AlexanderEveryday were given the privilege to embrace eachothers differences and celebrate them, thats whatBloomington Norths Best Buddies club is allabout.The club brings teenagers with disabilitiesand North students together by pairing them ingroups. As a club, they meet twice a month,enjoying either a holiday party or school events,like sports games. However, if you are in a one-on-one partnership, you meet another time eachmonth and do activities with your buddy.I think it means a lot to them, senior OliviaThurmond said. They get to meet new peoplethat arent necessarily in their everyday classes.Thurmond is currently vice president of theBest Buddies club and has been involved since hersophomore year.Best Buddies has become a big part of mylife/7 she said. It was because of Best Buddies thatI figured out that I want to be a special educationteacher.The club has changed many lives andbrought many people together to spread awarenessabout the effect hatred has towards others.Students at North hold an event each spring toencourage others to take the pledge to end the R77word.I think the Spread the Word to End theWord7 campaign is a great way to draw attentionto how negatively the R7 word can affectsomeone, Thurmond said. The only way to getrid of the R7 word is to spread why its so awfuland what it really means when you use it.Best Buddies is a great club with a greatpurpose. It changes lives everyday and brings anew light and perspective to North.TOP: Senior Olivia Thurmond with her buddyjunior Destiny Yokley at a Best Buddies event.BOTTOM: Sophomore Mackenzie Lemonis jokesaround with her buddy, sophomore Jacob Turner, byholding bunny ears behind him.photos by: Marlee Wilson
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomnorth/id/8445
Collection:	Bloomington High School North

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