DBHS NEWSLETTER

BEST BUDDIES
DIAMOND BAR HIGH SCHOOL - AUGUST 2013 - VOLUME 2

ISSUE NO. 1

Reections: Leadership Conference

Best Buddies is an organization that reaches international levels, and yet it so easy to forget this fact while participating in the close-knit activities of each individual high school chapter. Leadership Conference is always a fantastic reminder of how widespread Best Buddies reach really is. DBHS very own Best Buddies presidents had the honor to spend the weekend of July 19-21 at Indiana University, learning how to successfully and efciently lead their chapter to the goals of total inclusion and acceptance.

Welcome Back!
After a summer of relaxing and vacationing, Im sure you are all so excited to come back and take part in Best Buddies! We are so excited for the school year and hope you are too. To returning members, thank you so much for being back. We know that your compassion and dedication to friendship has only grown from last year. We are hoping this year is slightly different than last, in all the good ways, and we hope that you can come along for the adventure. Act as a teaching force, guiding newer members and helping them feel comfortable. Trying new things can be difcult, but is always easier with the help continued on page 5

RUBENS EXPERIENCE
Leadership Conference was honestly one of the best things I have ever attended in the short span of my 16 years on this rotating ball of dirt. I had heard good things about it from people who had previously attended and from those at the California state ofce. I was super excited prior to the conference, but it turned out to be continued on page 2

Why do you love Best Buddies? See what fellow members had to say on page 3!

even better than I could have imagined. I know thats a totally cliche thing to say, but it was honestly such an amazing experience. First of all, the magnitude of the club really hits you. Standing in line to meet the founder of Best Buddies I was able to converse with people from other countries, including Germany, Peru, Mexico and Guatemala. It was super rad to see how Best Buddies changes lives in other countries as well. But even on a smaller scale, I was able to spend a majority of the weekend with chapter leaders from the state of California. I met people from all over the state and honestly created some genuine friendships in the span of 3 days. Like...we are Facebook friends and everything. Thats how genuine the friendships were. Not only did everyone have great ideas about running a chapter that we will denitely implement next year, but everyone also had some similar

hardships that we were able to offer suggestions and solutions for as a group. It was just a really inspiring weekend, where we formed bonds based around a common passion. Everyone was so nice and it was so easy to make friends and socialize, plus all the inspiring buddy ambassadors just made the whole experience one that will be nearly impossible to forget. I have just been so blessed with this experience and I am so glad that I have the possibility of attending again next summer. This was one of the other opportunities that Best Buddies has given me, taking me all the way to Indiana to meet some exceptional people who acted as equally exceptional mentors. A special thanks to everyone from Best Buddies California for making the weekend amazing. Yall rock.

inspiring and life changing days of my life. The level of love and enthusiasm was something I had never experienced before. Being able to collaborate with other chapter leaders to gure out what works best for our chapter was priceless and because of this I have made many friends that will continue to help our chapter grow. I have come back with so many new ideas and so much passion for best buddies. Not only that but I have also come back with a new perspective on disabilities. A quote that really stood out to me that I think sums up everything I learned at the conference is "The point is not to treat someone like they have a disability, its to recognize what is going on in someones life and despite of that continuing to treat them with the respect they deserve." I am so thankful to have been able to attend the 2013 Leadership conference and I am SO excited for next year.

MOLLYS EXPERIENCE
The four days that I spent at Indiana University were some of the most

Why do you love Best Buddies?

Best buddies is like another home to me at DBHS. The best part of bb is our unity--there's no judging, no barriers.. we are just one, happy, energetic bunch the buddies, the members, the officers and advisors alike! - Gloria Kim, Senior

It brings out this happiness in me that nothing else can. And just to be able to see the change in both the buddies and the members is amazing. Molly Mc Cabe, Junior

Getting to meet new people and forming relationships! - Tyler Cheng, Junior

Best Buddies has changed my life so much and I love the way that it has affected my life, way more than I would have ever dreamt. The positivity it creates and adventures it has taken me on, have just grown my affinity for the cause - Ruben Reyes, Junior

Welcome Back!
continued...

differences and struggles and we nd friendship. Throughout the year you will learn so many things about the buddies and maybe even about yourself. You especially will nd yourself looking forward to Wednesdays (meeting day!) the best day of the week. Best Buddies grows on you and becomes a second home. So many laughs, smiles, and joys have been shared in the BB room that members cannot wait to get back. We have a lot in store for

Trying new things can be difcult, but is always easier with the help of a fellow student, willing to go slightly out of their way to help out. Comfort is the key. Were all a family here at DBHS Best Buddies, and were sure that as returning members you will successfully bring people in, making them feel welcome. This club is about total inclusion, and we will reach that goal, forming

Events for 2013-2014

(Subject to Change)

October
November

Match Party Bowling

December SoCal Holiday

Party
January
February
Movie Night Disneyland

March
Spread the Word to
End the Word April

May
Field Clean-Up or Beach Clean-Up Friendship Walk

strong friendships all the way. To this upcoming year and I hope new friendships and to continuing you are as excited as we are! I already blooming ones, heres to a congratulate you on choosing to great year. Welcome back member! To new members, you have been given an amazing opportunity. An opportunity to learn things, make new friends, and experience and be involved in world wide change. You may not know it right now but joining Best Buddies will become one of the best decisions of your high school experience. Best Buddies is unlike any other club on campus. We all come together, pushing aside our

Hope to see yall at every event!

be apart of Best Buddies and am extremely happy to welcome you into our family!

CONTACT US E-mail: dbhs.bestbuddies@yahoo.com Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/dbhsbestbuddies Instagram: @dbhsbestbuddies

EDITORS IN CHIEF Florence Lo Ruben Reyes BEST BUDDIES

ISSUE no. 1 VOLUME 02

This issue has been a joint effort by many members of the Diamond Bar High School Best Buddies chapter. A big thank you to all involved.