Mangano meets Oceanside’s best buddies

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano attended the Autism Speaks Walkathon at Jones Beach along with students from Oceanside High School. Teacher Penny Ellis and members of the Oceanside High School Best Buddies Club met with the County Executive before the kick-off of the annual walk-a-thon.

Since 1995, Best Buddies High Schools has paired students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in one-to-one friendships with high school students. In the past, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have not had the opportunity to have friends outside of their own special education classroom. By introducing Best Buddies into public and private high schools, participants are crossing the invisible line that too often separates those with disabilities from those without. Best Buddies High Schools also offers students a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills. With the support of school faculty and Best Buddies staff, students lead and direct the chapters in their schools.