At Tompkins High School, a club is quietly transforming lives and building bridges between students who might not otherwise connect. For first-year president and senior Sarah Ahmed, leading Best Buddies is not just an extracurricular activity—it’s a deeply personal mission rooted in her own life experiences.
“Best Buddies is basically a global organization that encourages schools to create a more inclusive environment,” Ahmed said. “The core of Best Buddies is one-to-one friendships, which we emphasize at Tompkins, as well as the idea that everyone needs a buddy. Diversifying your friend group is one of the values we promote.”
Best Buddies International, founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through social and economic inclusion. The organization’s mission—promoting friendships, leadership development, employment, and inclusive living—has reached schools, colleges, and communities worldwide.
At Tompkins, Best Buddies fosters understanding by connecting students with and without IDD through meaningful relationships. As president, Ahmed’s responsibilities go beyond planning events.
“I coordinate everything, such as meetings and events,” Ahmed said. “But what I think is most important is that I act as a bridge for parents, buddies, and students. Talking to parents, especially of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is beneficial because they need to know that we want to ensure their children are included.”
For Ahmed, joining Best Buddies wasn’t just a way to get involved at school. Her commitment stems from a middle school experience that shaped her perspective.
“I had a teacher in middle school who had a daughter named Anna, who has cerebral palsy,” Ahmed said. “When I learned about Anna, I couldn’t believe it because she is so smiley and happy. I didn’t understand how my teacher handled having a daughter with a disability. But as I got to know her over two years in her class, I realized it’s not something that people suffer from; it’s simply part of who they are. This revelation was especially impactful for me because my cousin, who lives in Egypt, is disabled and nonverbal. Growing up, I always saw disability as something that caused suffering because my aunts lacked the resources to care for him.”
Through its initiatives, Tompkins’ Best Buddies chapter has achieved notable success. Recently, it was recognized as the Best Buddies Chapter of the Month, a significant milestone for the group.
“Winning Best Buddies Chapter of the Month was really cool,” Ahmed said. “Especially since we struggled to gain members and hold events in the past. When we were announced as a five-star chapter, I felt proud because I couldn’t believe how much the club had progressed. It was incredibly rewarding.”
By creating spaces where students can form genuine, lasting friendships, Best Buddies at Tompkins High School continues to show that inclusion is more than just an idea—it’s a practice that changes lives.
