Bash of Halloween fun
Enhancing lives of people with intelligence disabilities was the theme of Wednesday’s Halloween Bash.
The Best Buddies Service Center, which provides one-on-one friendships for mentally and physically disabled adults, met at Sigma Nu fraternity house to play games, meet new friends and have fun.
“It was a fun way to bridge the gap between different organizations and Best Buddies,” said Todd Redding, a junior majoring in marketing.
Redding, a member of Sigma Nu, was asked to help set up tables and decorations before the Halloween Bash, and then assisted with the activities. He said it was a good idea for the fraternity to be involved because “we have the facilities to hold this many people.”
And there were a lot of people.
The Best Buddies set up four stations for painting pumpkins, doughnut-eating contests, cake walking and candy fishing. Each activity was surrounded by Buddies and their friends as they decorated, ate, and best of all, laughed and had fun.
It was evident Buddies and friends had been anticipating the event for a long time; most were dressed up and joined in with vast smiles. From a cowboy to a life-size cookie, and princesses to Michael Jackson, costumes definitely showed creativity.
Monica Shields, a freshman in marketing, made sure her friend was entertained as she laughed with him and passed him paint for his pumpkin. She said if there was anything she has learned from being a Best Buddy, it’s that “we just have fun.”
After everyone had a chance at each station, in costumes and grins, they went trick-or-treating to nearby sororities and fraternities.
Lysh Hernandez, a junior majoring in sociology, and member of the Kappa Delta sorority, said this part of the night was a good idea because “it expands what [Best Buddies] have been involved in and spreads it to the USU community.”
“They benefit because they get to meet more students and we benefit as well,” Hernandez said.
Shields said the Halloween Bash was only the second activity of the year, but she, as well as all other Best Buddies, makes contact with their friends at least once a week.
While some Buddies e-mail, Shields makes sure to have phone conversations with her friend.
Stephanie Crockett, the Best Buddies activities officer, said Buddies and friends also do things out in the community twice a month.
“It can be anything,” she said. “They can go to the movies, bowling, or if they like the rodeo, they can go to the rodeo – anything that both people enjoy.”
Justin Haskell, Best Buddies director, said he and his friend ride motorcycles and play pool together.
“His favorite thing to do is pick up girls though,” Haskell said.
Haskell continued by saying Best Buddies “is an awesome program and it really makes a difference.”
The difference can be created, Haskell said, “by anyone who wants to create a friendship.”
Students interested in being involved in the Best Buddies program can visit the on-campus service center, located on the third floor of the Taggart Student Center. There, Haskell said, students fill out interest forms that will be used to pair up buddies and challenged friends. They can also visit the Web site www.servicecenter.usu.edu for more information.
Best Buddies service center was originated in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, a man who wanted to improve the lives of people with intelligence disabilities. From the looks of the Halloween Bash, it seems his dream has come true.
-mnewbold@cc.usu.edu
Brandon Fredrickson, left, dressed as Michael Jackson for the Best Buddies Halloween Bash at the Sigma Nu house, paints pumpkins Wednesday with “Buddy” Sarah White. (Photo by Jamie Crane)