December 25, 2018
By Samiha Kazi and Bryant Xia
On Nov. 15, Lexington Best Buddies wrapped up their seventh annual dodgeball tournament. The Zambroskis took home the win.
Lexington Best Buddies is a branch of Best Buddies International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One of the world's largest anti-ableism organizations, Best Buddies enables volunteers to form one-to-one relationships with buddies, and act as friends and mentors.
To compete in the tournament, each team paid an entry fee of $25. Overall, the event raised more than $400 for the organization, and enabled students involved in the Lexington, Arlington, Burlington, Bedford, Belmont Collaborative (LABBB) to participate in organized activities with their high school friends.
The beginning of the tournament featured a round of dodgeball for Best Buddies pairs. Partners worked together to eliminate their opponents and protect each other from incoming balls.
“Some of my favorite moments [were] watching the buddies high five each other when they got an out… one girl, she’s wheelchair bound and I would go run and get the ball and hand it to her and her face would light up with happiness when she got the chance to throw it,” Amanda Fucci, a junior, said.
After a round of dodgeball between buddy pairs and two days of practice, the tournament officially began.
“The cheers from the stands and other onlookers couldn’t [have been] more supportive,” Seth Cutler, a junior, said.
An intense moment occurred in the semi-finals when a match was tied. The two remaining players went head to head for five minutes straight.
“The entire gym was screaming and cheering for the boy who brought his team to the finals, it was so exciting,” Fucci said.
The tournament is an opportunity for LHS students to interact with students in the LABBB program.
“[Dodgeball] helps students with special needs create meaningful friendships with high school students,” Fucci said.
Tournament organizers hope to involve more students next year.
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