Best Buddies Group does a Prom

http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_15058642

Bring on the party: Best buddies at Rowland High School celebrate early prom

ROWLAND HEIGHTS - The first year of Danny Velasquez and Adam Grijalva's friendship wasn't as smooth as it is now.


"We didn't click," said Grijalva, 18.

On Friday, it looked nothing like that. Both danced, donning matching ties Grijalva had bought, and celebrated their years together at the prom of the Best Buddies club at Rowland High School.

Grijalva, a senior, joined the program three years ago because he said he felt he wasn't doing enough to help others.

"I felt like a bad human being and wanted to redeem myself," he said.

The national program, founded in the 1980s, pairs a special education student like Velasquez with non-special education students like Grijalva. The prom, the crowning event of the year held Friday at the school, was a chance for nearly 60 students to celebrate the school year and their friendship.

Velasquez, 16, a junior from Rowland Heights, said he will miss Grijalva, who is graduating next month. The two grew close after sharing, among other things, advice on girls.

Grijalva, a co-president of the club, said he wasn't sure how much help he was able to give Velasquez when it came to girls.

"He tells me to be nice," said Velasquez, who added he has a girlfriend.

By showing the students that they have much in common, Best Buddies can bridge the gaps between two student groups that don't interact much, said Clare Ruesga, a special education teacher who runs the club alongside history teacher Susie Burch.

"Society has separated them," Burch said. "But if in high school they learn there is no difference, they will learn that as adults."

The program has become popular. Nearly 100 students applied to work with 30 special education students, Burch said. Each special education student is pair with two non-special education students.

The students meet up with their buddies every other week, often grabbing lunch or sharing stories of school. The club meets monthly for social events and has yearly bake-offs, trips to the bowling alley and picnics.

Midway through Friday's dance, Benson Quan, a 15-year old special education student, was crowned the prom king, with a crown and sash.

He and prom queen Julia Rojas nearly walked off without a dance before the crowd cheered them into one.

Afterward, Quan said he was happy to receive the honor.

"It feels tremendous because it's great," he said.