Middleton High School students and members of the Best Buddies Club – which creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, leadership development and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities – recently attended the international Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) at Indiana University in Bloomington. The conference united Best Buddies leaders, volunteers and community advocates worldwide to shape the future of the disability rights and inclusion movement.
“Our Best Buddies Club offers social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded,” said Tvisha Pundir, a rising senior and co-president of the club. “Best Buddies is a club that strives to make everyone feel at home and included. We foster and nurture friendships for all and everyone is welcome.”
She shared how the club empowers individuals with and without disabilities to build meaningful friendships with their peers, enhance communication and develop advocacy skills.
“Through their participation, our buddies form meaningful connections with their peers; gain self-confidence; and share interests, experiences and activities with all members of our community,” she said.
Pundir attended the conference with rising senior and club co-president Cate Cassata as well as rising junior Josephine Schiferl. They were among more than 30 Best Buddies leaders to represent Wisconsin at the conference. It’s the second year Middleton High School students have attended the conference, which took place during Disability Pride Month.
“The best part of BBLC was engaging with Best Buddies leadership from around the world – from 43+ countries and across the United States,” Pundir said. “We shared countless interactions and learned so much through the interactive training, celebratory ceremonies and numerous such events.”
The club’s advisor is Laurie Wood, an occupational therapist at Middleton High School and Clark Street Community School who also works with Cardinal Academy, MCPASD’s post-high-school program for students ages 18-21 with Individual Education Programs (IEPs). The Best Buddies Club is among the programs MCPASD supports, along with Cardinal Academy and the adaptive sports league, for students with disabilities as part of efforts to create a safe, welcoming environment for all students.
Pundir shared what club members are looking forward to for the 2025-2026 school year.
“Our leadership is excited to raise awareness about Best Buddies at Middleton, creating an environment of inclusion, inviting new members, and hosting events and club meetings,” she said.
To learn more, follow the club on Instagram at @middletonbestbuddies.