The Marcos de Niza Best Buddies chapter was recently named 2017’s Most Amazing Chapter in Arizona.

According to Best Buddies Arizona, the club at Marcos is the best chapter out of 48 across the state. Members work to change “the world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, one friendship at a time.”

MdN teacher Kelly Muchmore is the club’s sponsor and for the second straight year has earned the title of Most Outstanding High School Advisor.

Last year Ms. Muchmore and members of the Padres chapter were recognized by the TUHSD Governing Board and Superintendent Dr. Baca for their 2016 successes. Marcos was named Most Outstanding Chapter and received the Top Fundraising High School Chapter Award for Arizona. In addition to Most Outstanding Advisor, Ms. Muchmore was named Most Involved Advisor and was selected to attend the Annual International Leadership Conference last summer.

Chapter President and Marcos de Niza student Lucy Argota also attended the Leadership Conference, forging lifelong friendships and gaining valuable leadership skills along the way.  Lucy has helped energized this year’s Marcos Best Buddies Chapter, which has grown to nearly 100 participants.

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Mission

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Who We Serve

The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.

Programs

Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with IDD. For individuals within this community, Best Buddies helps them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communications skills, and feel valued by society.