Fifth-graders Olivia Rhodaberger and Julianya Smail cheer during the Butler Unified Sports Bocce Team's match against Moniteau at the Butler High School gym Feb. 15. Nearly 60 student members of the Butler Middle School Best Buddies chapter took a field trip to the high school to cheer on the team. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Joseph Ressler

There was a big turnout for the Butler High School Unified Sports Bocce Team's match against Moniteau High School.

Nearly 60 student members of the Butler Middle School chapter of Best Buddies packed the stands Feb. 15 to cheer on the Butler bocce team, which is made up of athletes both with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Amanda Rekich, a speech therapist for Butler Middle School and adviser of the middle school’s chapter of Best Buddies, said Best Buddies is an international organization that encourages and fosters friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

According to Best Buddies, students with intellectual or developmental disabilities are often isolated and left out of social activities. Best Buddies chapters in middle schools work to create an inclusive middle school culture for all students.

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