Annual Best Buddies Friendship Ball Hosted At Northport High School

NORTHPORT, NY — The annual Long Island Best Buddies Friendship Ball was hosted at Northport High School for the first time on April 21.

This year’s event was themed "a night under the stars" and was a celebration for nearly 500 students and volunteers involved in Best Buddies.

The formal event is a celebration of inclusion for students with special needs and those
involved in the organization. With many dressed for the occasion, students were able to mingle
with their peers from schools across Long Island including Connetquot High School, Deer Park High School, Eastport-South Manor Junior/Senior High School, Elwood-John H. Glenn High School, Garden City High School, Hauppauge High School, Longwood High School, Manhasset Secondary School, Mount Sinai High School, New Hyde Park Memorial High School, Northport High School, Plainedge High School, Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School, Seaford High School and Shoreham-Wading River High School.

The school had a photo booth, delicious food and a dance floor complete with a DJ and large scale displays for ambiance. For students in need of a break from all the excitement, a special sensory room was available for use where students could relax and play table games.

"This event is truly one of the most magical nights of the year and we were thrilled to be able to
host it for the first time," Director of Secondary Special Education Allyson Giaimo said in a news release. "Seeing the joy and the excitement that the students feel is a reminder of the many benefits of inclusivity and that opportunities like this serve to benefit the entire school community."

The event was coordinated by students and staff, including the entire NHS administration team and Best Buddies coordinators Annette Giglio and Brett Belfiore. Additionally, students from the National Honor Society volunteered their time to help set up and coordinate the event, overseen by honor society advisers Lynn Cromeyn and Sara Kohlmann.

"Their help was instrumental in providing a well-run event for the large group," the school district wrote.

Best Buddies is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

"The Best Buddies club and the Friendship Ball is just one of the ways in which Northport-
East Northport is focused on inclusivity and ensuring students with special needs feel at-home
while in school," the district wrote.

The district recently hosted a "Choose to Include" day, which is supported by the Special Olympics Whole School Inclusive Initiative, to help spread the word about inclusion and being kind. The event was scheduled during April as part of the "Northport Radiates Kindness" month, when students could stop by the Commons to fill out a card explaining why they "choose to
include."

The district also has a Unified Sports program to bring students with disabilities and
general education students together for friendly competition across bowling and basketball, as well as the district "Sparkle Squad," an inclusive dance team that performs during select games and events.

"An important part of student success is ensuring every student feels a sense of belonging
and community at school," said Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Student Support Services Louis Bonadonna. "While these events and activities are important, we also strive to ensure they feel welcomed every day and that the overall school environment is a reflection of the inclusivity we strive for."