West Chester East students host annual Best Buddies Ball

West Chester East students host annual Best Buddies Ball

West Chester East High School was converted into a castle last weekend, as it hosted the 12th annual Best Buddies Ball, a prom of sorts to members of the organization throughout the Philadelphia region.

Best Buddies is a program that links special needs students to "peer buddies" that they talk to and hang out with throughout the year. West Chester East's chapter, which was selected as chapter of the year, hosted this year's ball, entertaining 500 students from 21 schools in Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey on the night of May 5.

"They all treat it like it's the prom," said Robert McMahon, special education teacher at East, and Best Buddies advisor. "It really is a special evening."

Students stayed after school late into the evening on May 4 to deck out East in the trappings of a castle. The ball was free to all invited, thanks to scores of donations, both in money and food, from local businesses and residents.

   Will Hobson