📌 Program Updates

🎉 Welcome Back!

We’re so excited to have you back in our Best Buddies community for another amazing year of friendship, leadership, and inclusion! Let’s make 2025–2026 our best year yet! 🌍

🌟 BBLC 2025 Recap

From July 18–21, 53 students and staff from Georgia took over Indiana University for the Best Buddies Leadership Conference! It was an unforgettable weekend full of connection, inspiration, and growth. Review the highlights below!

📋 Leadership Training Day – Registration is NOW OPEN!

In-person Leadership Training Days are back, and all school chapters (elementary, middle, high school, and college) are required to attend one of the two sessions below. If you can’t make it in person, stay tuned. Virtual make-up and recorded options will be offered later this fall!

📍 Atlanta
🗓 Saturday, September 13 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📌 Carl E. Sanders YMCA at Buckhead
🔗 Register Here

📍 Effingham County
🗓 Saturday, September 20 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📌 Guyton Elementary School
🔗 Register Here

📥 Monthly Chapter Check‑Ins

Stay connected and keep us in the loop! Please submit your monthly chapter check-in form each month to share updates, needs, and successes.

🔗 Chapter Check-In Form

Completing check-ins helps us support your work better, feature your chapter’s successes, and ensure all communication lines remain open. Thanks for keeping us in the loop!

🚀 Meet Our Student Advisory Board!

We’re thrilled to introduce the 12 inspiring members of our brand-new Student Advisory Board! They’ll serve on four key committees: Event Planning, Fundraising, Mission Moments, and Social Media. They will also help shape Leadership Training Day, Back to Best Buddies, the Friendship Walk, and beyond! 🎓

📣 Please join us in celebrating these leaders:

• Kimia Askari – University of Georgia (Athens)

• Jheel Dhruv – University of Georgia (Athens)

• Nathan Miller – Howard High School (Macon)

• Alyssa Marshall – Fannin County High School (Blue Ridge)

• Elena Sladkus – North Atlanta High School (Atlanta)

• Emma Whittaker – South Effingham High School (Port Wentworth)

• Isabella Ramirez – Marietta High School (Marietta)

• Gray Nichols – Decatur High School (Decatur)

• Evelyn Custer – Decatur High School (Decatur)

• Arya Miller – Riverwood International Charter School (Atlanta)

• Nadia Shrager – Decatur High School (Decatur)

• Kieva Morrison – Decatur High School (Decatur)

👏 Huge congratulations to these dedicated leaders for stepping up and driving inclusion statewide!

🗣️ It’s Recruitment Season!

Now through September is prime time to boost your chapter! Check these off your list:

• Host info tables in the cafeteria

• Hold your mandatory recruitment meeting

• Promote Best Buddies on social media, in the hallways, in-person, morning announcements, etc.

• Schedule your Match Party by October (not required for Elementary or Promoter Chapters)

🚨 BB360 Deadline: October 31!
(Note the date moved due to November 1 falling on a Saturday.) Please ensure all matches, events, and information are entered before the deadline.

🏆 Get Involved with Champion of the Year!

We're gearing up for Champion of the Year on Friday, November 7—and we'd love your involvement! Interested in helping out or volunteering?
Reach out to our Deputy Director of Development, Catherine Justice: ✉️ [email protected]

📲 Stay Connected

Don’t miss an update—join our Remind groups:

👩‍🏫 Faculty Advisors: Join Here
🎓 Student Leaders: Join Here

Thank you for your dedication and energy. We can’t wait to see all we accomplish together this year. Let’s make it unforgettable! 🚀

Back & Better: Your Best Buddies Year Starts Now!

Dear Faculty Advisors and Student Leaders,

Welcome back to the start of a new school year! Whether you're a returning chapter leader or brand new to the Best Buddies family, I’m so excited to kick off this year with you. As we dive into the 2025–2026 school year, I want to thank you for being a vital part of a movement rooted in inclusion, friendship, and leadership.

This year holds so much potential. With your creativity and passion, we’re going to make a real impact—not just in your schools, but across the state. Below you’ll find key dates, resources, and reminders to help your chapter get started strong.

🔍 What’s Coming Up:

🗓️ 2025–2026 Best Buddies in Georgia Calendar
From leadership training to match parties, everything you need to plan ahead is right here:
👉 Click here to view

💬 Leaders League – Wednesday, August 21 at 6:00 PM (Zoom)

This optional monthly call brings our student leaders together for idea sharing, support, and collaboration. Can’t make it? Pass the invite to a fellow officer!
👉 Register here

🥇 Leadership Training Day – Required for All School Chapters

Don’t miss this day of team-building, leadership development, and inspiration! If your chapter cannot attend in person, virtual make-up options will be available.

📍 Atlanta
Saturday, September 13 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📌 Carl E. Sanders YMCA at Buckhead
🔗 Register Here

📍 Effingham County
Saturday, September 20 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📌 Guyton Elementary School
🔗 Register Here

📣 It’s Recruitment Season!

August and September are the perfect time to grow your chapter. Here’s how to get started:

• Host an info table or club fair booth

• Lead a recruitment meeting

• Start planning your Friendship Match Party (N/A for Elementary and Promoter chapters)

📚 Recruitment Resources
🎒 Best Buddies GA Toolkit
🎉 Match Party Ideas

📝 Applications & Leadership Roles

• Students can join your chapter at bestbuddies.org/join

• Chapter leaders can apply at bestbuddies.org/lead
  👥 Chapter Leadership Role Descriptions

✅ Ongoing Expectations

📥 Monthly Chapter Check-In Form
Keep us updated on your progress each month. This helps us support your chapter and celebrate your work!
🔗 Submit Here

📌 BB360 Deadline – October 31
Be sure to log all matches, meetings, rosters, and events by this date. (Friendship matching is not required for Elementary and Promoter chapters.)

📆 Program Requirements
Each chapter should:

• Plan Meetings and Events: Set 2-3 SMART goals, host at minimum 5 meetings and 4 events this year, and log everything into BB360.

• One to One Friendship Friendship Matches (Optional for Elementary Chapters): Match your students in one-to-one friendships, log this information into BB360

• Keep in Touch with us! Submit monthly check-ins, schedule meetings and reach out to us when you need assistance, and respond to all direct BBGA staff communication.

• Be Committed to Learning: Familiarize yourself with Best Buddies University and send a chapter leader to each of the following:

  • Leadership Training Day (September)

  • Back to Best Buddies (February)

  • Best Buddies Leadership Conference (July – optional for Elementary & Middle)

• Engage with our Statewide Events: Consider participating in Friendship Walks and Champion of the Year events.

Thank you again for stepping into this role. Your leadership helps students feel seen, supported, and celebrated. I’m here to help however I can, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

Let’s make this a school year to remember!

All the best,
Doug Peters
Deputy Director, Programs
Best Buddies in Georgia

BBLC 2025 Recap: Team Best Buddies Georgia Showed Up and Showed OUT!

We came. We connected. We led with purpose. 💪

Best Buddies in Georgia made an unforgettable impact at the 2025 Best Buddies Leadership Conference, held at Indiana University Bloomington! Nearly 2,000 students, educators, and staff from across the globe gathered to celebrate inclusion, and Team Georgia showed up stronger than ever.

This year, we were proud to bring over 50 attendees, including student leaders, faculty advisors, Ambassadors, and staff from across the state. Our delegation represented high school and college chapters from all corners of Georgia, making this our largest turnout to date.

Throughout the weekend, our team engaged in leadership sessions, advocacy workshops, inclusive social events, and cross-state collaboration. Everyone returned energized, equipped, and ready to take their chapter to the next level this school year.

👏 Thank You to Our BBLC 2025 Delegation!

We are so proud of the incredible individuals who represented Best Buddies in Georgia at BBLC this year. Your enthusiasm, leadership, and commitment to inclusion inspire us all!

🧑‍🏫 Faculty & Advisors

• Elizabeth Holloway – Advisor, Mary Persons High School

• Sarah Willis – Faculty Advisor, Tattnall County High School

• Jerrica Green – Special Education Advisor, Fannin County High School

• Kathryn Wynn – Faculty Advisor, Fannin County High School

• Stephanie Rodriguez – Faculty Advisor, Norcross High School

• Crystal Hall – Special Education Advisor, Marietta High School

• Angela Yeager – Faculty Advisor, Denmark High School

• Alyssa Smith – Special Education Advisor, Mary Persons High School

• Jaspreet Bassi – Special Education Advisor, Denmark High School

• Kristan Kicklighter – Special Education Advisor, Tattnall County High School

• Kendra Belcher – Faculty Advisor, Dade County High School

• Deidre Stewart – Other Advisor, Dade County High School

🗣️ Ambassadors

• Andrew Dixon – Ambassador

• Rashawn White – Ambassador

• Keaton Harris – Ambassador

• Martha Haythorn – Ambassador

• Amari Tate – Ambassador

• Calethia Christmas – Ambassador

• Carrington Manous – Ambassador

🎓 College Chapter Leaders & Members

• Jheel Dhruv – Chapter President, University of Georgia

• Olivia Peters – Chapter President, Georgia Southern University

• Abagail Kimbell – Chapter President, University of North Georgia – Dahlonega

• Hope Stiles – Chapter Member, Tri-County Community College

• Callie Lewis – Chapter Member, Dalton State College

• Mikayla Blalock – Chapter President, Middle Georgia State University

• Cira Letteri – Chapter Officer, Emory University

💡 Other Adult Participants

• Portia Cosby – Community Leader

• Ivory Brown – Speaker/Presenter/Performer/Faculty Advisor, Ebenezer Middle School

🎒 High School Chapter Leaders & Members

• Amelia Willis – Chapter Member, Tattnall County High School

• Hampton Brown – Chapter Officer, Tattnall County High School

• Kyleigh Monroe – Chapter President, Tattnall County High School

• Talia Rubel – Chapter President, Chamblee Charter High School

• Camila Yores – Chapter President, Winder-Barrow High School

• Mila Snyder – Chapter President, Riverwood International Charter School

• Eli Anderson – Chapter Member, Tattnall County High School

• Joseph Cain – Chapter President, Dade County High School

• Ellie Ruth Blue – Chapter President, Norcross High School

• Lily Pomeranz – Chapter Officer, Norcross High School

• Libby Holloway – Chapter President, Mary Persons High School

• Anna Charen – Chapter President, Decatur High School

• Charlie Shaw – Chapter President, Denmark High School

• Paige Colley – Chapter President, Fannin County High School

• Gabrielle Krupczak – Chapter President, Campbell High School

• Callaghan Finnegan – Chapter President, The Paideia School

• Sia Lawrence – Chapter President, Johns Creek High School

• Anna Roper – Chapter Officer, Denmark High School

• Joey Arnold – Chapter Member, Dade County High School

• Chloe Toler – Chapter President, Islands High School

• Kyla McMahan – Chapter Member, Dade County High School

• Hazel Grace Taylor – Chapter Member, Dade County High School

📥 Ready to bring BBLC energy back to your school?
Explore the full collection of workshops, resources, and materials shared at the 2025 Best Buddies Leadership Conference:
🔗 BBLC 2025 Training Materials

Thank you to every student, advisor, and ambassador who represented Georgia so proudly. We can’t wait to welcome even more schools to the BBLC family next year!

It’s Officially Recruitment Season!

It’s the start of a brand-new year, and the perfect time to welcome new faces into your Best Buddies chapter!

Don’t wait to get started. Host a table at your club fair, make morning announcements, hang flyers, or share your chapter’s story on social media. However you spread the word, your energy sets the tone!

Need materials? Head to Best Buddies University for flyers, logos, and recruitment tools.
Have questions or want help brainstorming ideas? Reach out to Doug — he’s here to support you every step of the way!

August/September Events

Leader’s League

Leader’s League is a fun, optional monthly Zoom meet-up where Best Buddies leaders from across Georgia come together to share ideas, ask questions, and stay connected!💡

Can’t make it? No worries — feel free to pass the Zoom link to your Vice President or another chapter officer.

Need support between calls? Doug is just an email away and always happy to set up a one-on-one check-in.

🎟️ Bonus: Each meeting includes a raffle — so hop on if you can for your chance to win!

📍 Location: Zoom
🔗 Join Zoom Meeting
📌 Meeting ID: 870 6962 3296

Leadership Training Day

Leadership Training Day (LTD) registration is officially open — and we can’t wait to see you there! 🎉

This exciting day is packed with essential info, fresh ideas, and tons of fun to help you lead your chapter with confidence.

Attendance is mandatory for all chapters, as part of our statewide training requirements. If your school is unable to attend in person, please reach out to us so we can plan for a virtual alternative.

Let’s make this year our strongest yet — starting with LTD!