Ocean City High School Student Honored for Best Buddies Work

Macy Oteri made Ocean City High School history last month.

The Ocean City High School student was among a group of students, student groups and a teacher honored at the New Jersey State Board of Education’s annual recognition ceremony in Trenton on May 20.

She is the first person to ever be recognized out of the Ocean City School District by the State Board of Education.

The State Board of Education called Oteri a “high achiever academically” in a release issued this week. She is involved in sports, the arts, clubs and activities. She is featured in a local magazine for her work as a photographer and entrepreneur.

She was recognized for her work as the Ocean City High School Best Buddies Expansion Chapter President. The Ocean City Best Buddies Chapter is the first High School Chapter in South Jersey.

Best Buddies is a non-profit program aimed at creating one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Ocean City High School’s Chapter has paired successfully 15 buddy matches and features a totalof 41 members for its first year. Each buddy pair is held responsible for meeting at least twice a month as well as contacting each other at least once a week. At the end of every month, the Peer Buddy must write a short overview of their month with their Buddy, highlighting the activities they have participated in, any difficulties they may have had, and the stories of success.

The Best Buddies Chapter meets once or twice a month for a general meeting and additionally has a monthly group activity for members and pairs to socialize. Past group activities included: a Holiday Cookie Party, making Rice Krispy treats, learning how to finger-knit, participating in the Christmas parade, as well as writing Valentine’s Day cards for the troops overseas and more. As the year has progressed, matches have become comfortable with each other and other members of the club. Best Buddies allows the opportunity for new friendships to be created easily as members are truly accepting of one another.

The New Jersey State Board of Education annually recognizes outstanding achievement for a student or a group of students. The purpose of this recognition is to honor students who have made a significant contribution to school, community, family or other groups.

The attached image was provided by the New Jersey Board of Education: (left to right) Dr. Matthew Jamison Ocean City High School Principal, Dr. Richard Stepura Executive Cape May County Superintendent, Matthew Carey Ocean City School District Director of Special Services, Dr. Stephen Oteri, Mary Oteri, Macy Oteri, Dr. Kathleen Taylor Ocean City School District Superintendent, David Hespe New Jersey Commissioner ofEducation, Mark Biedron President of the New Jersey State Board of Education.