CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) – A new organization at Cleveland High School got off to a strong star this year. The Best Buddies Club is a student led group that creates a space where *every* child feels seen, valued and included. It’s a perfect example of “What’s Right With Our Schools.”
“This program is called Best Buddies. It’s actually a nationwide program. Um any school can do it. You create friendships and just partnerships with everybody,” Tressa Manning, Special Education Teacher, Cleveland High School, said.
She continues, “People with intellectual and developmental disabilities as long as well as just your general population. Um, we just try to create an environment where we put them together and make bonds and friendships that will last forever. We did interviews so that we could try to make the best one-on-one matches that we could. So, if we had two individuals that were really into football, we could pair them together. Um, and then after the interviews, we let them know that they’re a part of it. We had a match party at our last meeting, so they found out exactly who their buddy was. And after that, it’s really just fun games, parties.”
“We have students who are in special ed classrooms, but then we also have students who are just in your general education classrooms. And that’s what makes it so special is we’re getting them together where a lot of the times they may not have the opportunity to be together,” Manning said.
“I spent my freshman year at Rhea County High School. During my time there, I was in Best Buddies. I’ve always had a special place for special needs, but my friend Michael Cranfield at Rhea County, he was definitely what motivated me to like get all in. Because he gave me a different view on life and that the things that I thought were the most important weren’t actually,” Gracie Cloutier, President CHS Chapter Best Buddies, Sophomore, Cleveland High School said.
She continues, “He taught me that the value isn’t in what you look like or the popularity that you have. It’s what’s on the inside that counts. And he really saw through just who I looked like into my inside. Here, we don’t care like who you are, what you came from. If you want to be a part of this, and you want to make a difference, you’re welcome. 100%.”
“It really inspired me to help me see life in a different point of view. Um, I like working with the kids. They’re really They’re really cool people. It’s really It’s really cool to get to know them well,” Sam Coleman, Junior, Cleveland High School, said.
“Is Ellie one of your best friends?” Manning asks.
“Yes” Hope Bolanos said.
“Being part of the program is normal and I like it,” Ethan Canseco, participant, Best Buddies, said.
“You get to meet people,” David Moore, News 12 Chief Photographer said.
“Oh, yeah. I get to meet people,” Canseco responds.
Coleman says, “I really like how the teachers like Miss Manning get really involved with this club. Um, we wouldn’t run without the teachers that help us. And and Gracie started it. She, she I talked to her um and how to get in. And she really the teachers and Gracie really helped this club. Like… they need they deserve a big shout out and helping us run.”
“Isn’t actually all that special at Cleveland. This is the norm and this is the standard, which I think speaks volumes for the culture we have here at Cleveland. But the special part is getting the word out there and letting other schools and other programs know that they can do this as well. I’m hoping that they just have more of an opportunity to learn about our special ed population. Um, they’re smart, they’re funny, they can talk, they have the same interests as the general education students. And we just want everybody to learn about one another, get along, and have a good time,” Manning said.
