Sydnee Lisa, Bryce Cox and Macy Oteri make Rice Krispies treats as part of a monthly group gathering of 'Best Buddies' at Ocean City High School.
The Ocean City Board of Education and Superintendent Kathleen Taylor are most proud to announce that Ocean City High School senior Macy Oteri has been selected by the New Jersey State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education to be recognized at the New Jersey’s State Board of Education’s annual Student Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 20.
The school district is honored to have nominated Oteri, who embodies the qualities of an outstanding student and who strives to achieve the mission of our School District, “Committed to Excellence.”
The New Jersey State Board of Education annually recognizes outstanding achievement for a student or a group of students. The purpose of this recognition is to honor students who have made a significant contribution to school, community, family or other groups. This is the first time a student from Ocean City School District is being recognized for this distinction by the New Jersey State Board of Education.
Oteri is a high achiever academically, involved in sports, the arts, clubs and activities. She is featured in a local magazine for her work as a photographer and entrepreneur.
In addition to these academic achievements, Oteri is nominated because of her work as the Ocean City High School Best Buddies Expansion Chapter President. The Ocean City Best Buddies Chapter is the first High School Chapter in South Jersey.
Best Buddies promotes one-on-one friendships between students who have intellectual or developmental disabilities with general education students. Ocean City High School's Chapter has paired successfully 15 buddy matches and features a total of 41 members for its first year. Each buddy pair is held responsible for meeting at least twice a month as well as contacting each other at least once a week. At the end of every month, the Peer Buddy must write a short overview of their month with their Buddy, highlighting the activities they have participated in, any difficulties they may have had, and the stories of success.
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Read more: New 'Buddies' for Special Ed Students at OCHS Making 'Huge Difference' With 'Little Gestures'
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The Best Buddies Chapter meets once or twice a month for a general meeting and additionally has a monthly group activity for members and pairs to socialize. Past group activities included: a Holiday Cookie Party, making Rice Krispies treats, learning how to finger-knit, participating in the Christmas parade, as well as writing Valentine's Day cards for the troops overseas and more. As the year has progressed, matches have become comfortable with each other and other members of the club. Best Buddies allows the opportunity for new friendships to be created easily as members are truly accepting of one another.
Please check the Best Buddies website,
http://m.bestbuddies.org/ for more information.
At the May State Board of Education’s Annual Student Recognition Ceremony, Oteri will be introduced to the State Board and to the public, as well as the State Board will recognize Macy for her many accomplishments and her impact on the school and students.
— News release from the Ocean City School District
