From the breezy autumn air to pumpkin decorations, Halloween is a popular holiday for many. However, making sure the celebration is accessible to everyone can present a challenge.

Fortunately, Best Buddies, a club at IHS, is trying to change that. 

Led by senior and club president Ava Wilson, the club aims to connect students in the Special Education Department (SPED) with other members of the student body. On Oct. 24, students organized a pumpkin painting party in the flex lab to celebrate the Halloween spirit for their latest event, with over 100 students attending.

“[Since joining], I’ve learned how easy it is to make a difference and unlocked a new understanding of those with disabilities,” Wilson said. “[At school], the Best Buddies events have taught students to treat each other equally, and that we are all teenagers who are trying to live life to the fullest. The interactions [I’ve had with the kids] are so precious and unforgettable, and I will forever look back on all of the happy moments.”

Every month, club members organize a themed party or event, complete with food, music, and a related activity. For parties, Wilson also creates a large coloring page and an according playlist to match the occasion. Previous events include the Best Buddies Prom and the Kickball Classic, which serve as a way for students to build genuine connections.  

“The events are really fun, [especially] the kickball,” Harper Lucio, a sophomore and member of the club, said. “My sister was in Best Buddies last year, and I saw how much fun she had [while] helping [out], which was what [pushed] me to join. I’ve [enjoyed] creating connections with the kids.”  

When planning events, club officers take special measures to ensure both the safety of students and entertainment. 

“[For the recent party], we wanted to do something fun and interactive– so we decided on painting pumpkins since it’s a lot safer than carving them,” Aanika Dewan, a sophomore officer in the club, said. “It also let the special education students have freedom with all the colors they could use.” 

For students with special needs, the club offers an inclusive and fun environment to express themselves. 

“[The pumpkin party] was amazing,” Habon Shaiya, a senior and student in the SPED department, said. “I loved the music, dancing, and getting to hang out with my friends.”

Year by year, officers find ways to improve the events. 

“This year, we focused on using more [simpler] and transportable products,” Dewan said. “For example, instead of the full-sized pumpkins like last year, we used smaller ones so that they’d dry faster and be easier to take home. [Considering] little details like that is how we make sure our club is [the best it can be].”

Being part of the club also means making lasting friendships.

“One of my favorite memories was at the prom last year,” Rida Hayat, vice president of the club, said. “Habon told me that ‘this [was] the best night of [her] life,’ which was what we really wanted [all the kids] to have. Getting to inspire people to show up and help out with [events] like these [is fulfilling], because not a lot of people talk about the [SPED] program.” 

In the future, Hayat hopes to see more students take the initiative in spreading inclusivity. 

“It’s not just about showing up– it’s really about forming relationships,” Hayat said. “I [want] the students at our school to see how much of a difference they can make by coming [to events] and talking to the kids. [Ultimately], I hope that the special needs kids get to enjoy their high school experience and [know] that they have people who care.”