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Buddies Take The Runway

: By George H. Newman

Felix Quinones was escorted to center stage by his Best Buddies Katie Peterson, left, and Jessica Fisk at the fashion show

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 2, 2008

Additional Photos

PLANT CITY - Special education students - some in wheelchairs or using walkers - were the models at a fashion show last week at Plant City High School.

They strutted their stuff with the aid of general education students at the event, a highlight of the year for the school's Best Buddies club.

A crowd of about 400 family members, friends and fans whooped it up at the school auditorium during the second annual EveryBuddies Beautiful Fashion Show. More than $2,000 was raised through ticket sales.

The Best Buddies club pairs 57 special education students with general education students who serve as mentors. Club members participated in four fashion categories: glitz and glamour, heritage, sportswear and Wild and Out.

All agreed the two-hour show Jan. 25 proved challenging and fun for the participants and wildly entertaining for the audience.

"What a wonderful event this is turning out to be," said Laurel Ritenbaugh, a cosmetology teacher at the school, and adviser for Skills, USA, a school club that sponsored the fundraiser. "We are already thinking about next year and how we can make the fashion show even better."

The administration and staff at Plant City High have been supportive of the program, said Sandy Denham, a Best Buddies faculty adviser.

Special education students in the club also participate in such organizations as FFA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Business Leaders and others.

The fashion show models included the king and queen of the Best Buddies club for 2007-08, Stephen Corsi and Adrienne Spangler. Corsi, 21, is also a member of the Special Olympics, competing in bowling, volleyball, swimming, softball and basketball. Spangler, 22, attended Simmons Career Center before entering Plant City High in 2005.

"Being a part of the Best Buddies club has meant a great deal to Adrienne," said her mother, Teresa Spangler who is a teacher at the school. "She loves going to school. She adores her best buddy, Brandy McHenry, and enjoys the field trips taken by the club throughout the year."

"The EveryBuddies Beautiful Fashion Show is quickly becoming a highlight of the year," Ritenbaugh said. "During the first year, preparing for the show, I was not sure how it would work. But it became obvious that the students involved and the general education students were all on board. After two years, it looks like we have something truly great on our hands."

Denham agreed.

"Our principal, Colleen Richardson and her staff have been tremendously supportive of the club and our activities," Denham said. "All of the special education students in the school have been fully integrated into the school population. Friendships have developed across the board. The fashion show is quickly turning into a showcase for school camaraderie and unity."

The Best Buddies club is part of a nationwide organization created by the Kennedy Foundation to support special education students in middle schools, high schools and in the business community, Denham said.

"Our club started seven years ago and we hit the ground running," Denham said. "We had 42 Best Buddy matches the first year. Several years ago we had about 350 members in the club. We were the largest in the nation at that time. We are still one of the largest in Florida."

Funding and scheduling changes reduced the program in Florida, but Denham said, "we hope to do all we can to see the program grow at our school."

Hunter Gambrell, a former student at the high school, remains a club member.

"The club allows a pairing of special education and the general school population that is beneficial to both groups," Gambrell said. "Both sides are able to open up more as members of the club. Participants let their hair down at some of the social gatherings such as the ball and fashion shows. Special ed students who become part of the mainstream school activities learn to grow and mature under these social encounters.

"Best of all, all of the special education students get to graduate with the general population. That is the greatest reward of all."

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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