After Warren Hills’ Best Buddies program had an amazing turnout at its Breakfast and Boardgames event, the club was invited to share an informational presentation with the Board of Education Dec. 12. 

Best Buddies Faculty Advisor Toni Manfra and the students put together a presentation that blew the crowd away. 

Months of preparation, thought and feedback went into this extravagant display of what Best Buddies at Warren Hills is all about. 

The presentation was organized by each Best Buddies officer board member explaining one to two slides of club information. 

The club is part of Best Buddies International, whose website advertises itself as “the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

The presentation at the Board of Education meeting started with Manfra introducing each officer board member and paying homage to that student.

Student Best Buddies board members include President Addison Wood, a junior; Vice-President Ashna Sabharwal, a senior; Secretary Tyrik Iman-Washington, a senior; Treasurer Boyan “Bobby” Balchev, a junior; Friendship Director Brynn Nemeth, a junior; Buddy Director Lainee Henry, a junior; Buddy Co-Director Donna Iuvone, a senior; and Executive Member Amelia Albrecht, a senior. 

Warren Hills Regional School District Board of Education President Molly Fraumeni told Manfra that an attorney representing the state of New Jersey, who had attended the Board of Education meeting, said it was the best presentation he had ever seen. 

The Best Buddies board members spoke from their hearts to intensify their passion and love for the club.

Best Buddies at Warren Hills is not only a school club, it is a family, the board members stressed.

The officer board holds meetings at least twice a month. Members use group messages to stay in contact with each other. 

Before the Board of Education meeting, the Best Buddies officer board all spent time bonding by going out to dinner and celebrating Buddy Director Lainee Henry’s birthday. 

“The Best Buddies Leadership Team is incredible, and so dedicated to spreading their mission,” said Student Council President Bailey Van Orman. “They did a phenomenal job at representing the good the organization does to the board.”