Best Buddies is a club offered here at MAST Academy. Best Buddies is an organization that
strives to bring together those with IDD’s (Intellectual or developmental disability) and others. It
is a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for people with IDD to do fun activities and
make friends. The best buddies club partners up with shake a leg in order to create a magical
experience for those with disabilities. Best buddies fosters a natural relationship between two

people. At Shake a Leg, there are many different activities that you participate in with your
buddy. There are days where you go sailing, boat riding, kayaking, etc.

Meet the Board:
Sponsor: Ms. Gutierrez

President: Tara Conway

Co- vice presidents: Camilla Flack and Pedro Mingo

Secretary: Gabriella Mesa- Jaramillo

Treasurer: Marina Waicman

Historian: Alexandra Bekirov

Tara Conway speaks upon how she feels being president. “It’s really moving that I became
president my third year of being in the club. I joined my freshman year and it’s really been a
journey. I hope to do great things with this club with my new board. We have a lot of fun and
we’re all great friends.”

Best buddies was able to accumulate over 200 members this year. Joining best buddies gives you
the rare opportunity to really make a difference in our community. You really make a difference
in these kids’ lives helping them have fun and spending time with them. Ultimately you really do

become best buddies.