Pictured: (left to right) Dr. Matthew Jamison Ocean City High School Principal, Dr. Richard Stepura Executive Cape May County Superintendent, Matthew Carey Ocean City School District Director of Special Services, Dr. Stephen Oteri, Mary Oteri, Macy Oteri, Dr. Kathleen Taylor Ocean City School District Superintendent, David Hespe New Jersey Commissioner of Education, Mark Biedron President of the New Jersey State Board of Education.
For the first time ever, a student from the Ocean City School District has been recognized by the New Jersey State Board of Education for outstanding achievement in making a significant contribution to school, community, family or other groups.
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 southern New Jersey. (Read more:
New 'Buddies' for Special Ed Students Make 'Huge Difference' With Little Gestures.)
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.
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://bestbuddies.org/ for more information.
— News release from the Ocean City School District
