One of the most valued benefits NDA offers is its opportunities. Not only are the students presented with opportunities to travel and express their faith but the school also has a plethora of clubs to pick and choose from that offer opportunities for every sort of student.

NDA’s newest club, Best Buddies, held their first meeting last week and over fifty people–ranging from freshman to senior–signed up to be a part of the NDA chapter.

For those who are unfamiliar with the organization, Best Buddies is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to cultivating understanding and leadership skills in young adults who attend schools like NDA and young adults with IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities) who attend schools such as Syble Hopp.

Syble Hopp is Notre Dame’s partner school and the two schools will collaborate through the club. Traditionally, Best Buddies generates one-on-one relationships, pairing every member in the club with a member at the partner school.

The purpose is to build a personal friendship with your buddy over the course of your years in the club and beyond. Notre Dame is a promoter chapter this year, meaning that instead of the one-on-one pairings the club will be both hosting and attending events as a group.

Events are all-inclusive and can range from bowling and ice cream to awareness events for campaigns like “Spread the Word to end the Word”

Members from the Notre Dame chapter attended their first event at Paint ‘n Pottery last weekend and got a taste of what the club is trying to accomplish. The event was held by the SNC chapter of Best Buddies who have been very inclusive to NDA’s infant chapter.

“I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I had a lot of fun,” sais Paige Van Pelt, one of the members who attended the event. “Everyone was so friendly and it was really cool to see how close all of the buddies were.”

All of the pieces that were painted at the event will be sold on February 17 at the Best Buddies Art Gala. All proceeds will go to the club.

If you are interested in joining the club or aiding it in its start-up, there’s always a place for you.

Chipotle is helping the group to fundraise on February 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. and will be donating to the club the money from the meals purchased in the name of Best Buddies.

Members encourage students to keep on the lookout for more information about NDA’s newest club.  Contact Elizabeth Bolin or Anna Kaye with questions or suggestions.