Elaine Loft, Staff Writer
Thanks to the efforts of several students, The Derryfield School is now hosting a chapter of Best Buddies International. Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
In the fall, Kazu Loreman ‘24 volunteered at a Best Buddies event in Concord. They really enjoyed the experience, and approached Anela Kruščica, the Director of Equity and Belonging, about the possibility of bringing a chapter of Best Buddies to Derryfield. After Kruščica agreed to be the club advisor, Loreman worked through the application process, and attended a training at Southern New Hampshire University. Other Derryfield students, including Deavon Moore ‘25 and Ali Cole ‘25 signed on as inaugural members of the club. Moore says he “really believes in the message of inclusivity” and the mission of “ending the social, physical and economic isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” Cole hopes to attend the Best Buddies Leadership Conference at Indiana University in July.
Currently there are nine Derryfield students registered for the school chapter of Best Buddies. On May 11, Loreman, Moore, Cole and several others will participate in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Concord. They also hope to hold an arts and crafts event at the school before the end of the academic year. Hosted social events are posted on the Best Buddies website, and are open to the public, with the aim of bringing together chapter members with community members in a casual setting.
