By Arianna Goenaga – Staff Reporter

The Friends Forever Club is an after school club that meets on the third Tuesday of every month to hangout with the special needs students at Law.

Friends Forever is not a new program. Formerly known as “Best Buddies”, a national organization, it was changed to the name “Friends Forever” as of four years ago.

Members of the Friends Forever Club get to play games, do arts and crafts, and even go on a special trip each year. In the past they have gone to the Shelton Sports Center and to the movies.

“My favorite Friends Forever memory would be having fun while going on trips to the movies and arcade,” club member Luigi DeCastro said.

The club also has themed meetings and bases activities off of these themes. The first meeting will be held October 18.

“We have our October Halloween themed meeting coming up with some fun things planned,” senior club member Leea Palmer said. “We also are planning to go bowling in the winter.”

The October meeting will include many different Halloween games and arts and crafts. It will even have some Halloween themed snacks.

“My favorite thing to do during Friends Forever is everything,” club member Hunter Cain said. “The food and ice cream is always great too.”

Besides the fun games and food, the club allows for new relationships and connections to be made between the special needs students and other members of the club.

“My favorite part of Friends Forever is the fact that it is a total ‘no judge zone’, unfortunately in high school, Special Ed and other students alike are subject to judgement constantly,” senior club member Sydney King said. “Having a place where we can hang out, have fun, and be ourselves is why I love Friends Forever so much.”

The club meetings will be held from 2-3 p.m. after school and anyone can join.

“Seeing my students make meaningful connections with new friends is my favorite part about friends forever,” club director Mr. Winebrenner said. “To get out and make a friend in this club can really make a difference in someone’s life.”

To join, students can see Mr. Winebrenner in Room 111A, ,or contact King or Palmer.

Students could also become a member by going to the first meeting on October 18 after school in the senior cafe.