Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Best Buddies turns classmates into friends in Cedarburg

 

CEDARBURG, Wis. (CBS 58) -- This week, we want to tell you about some everyday heroes in Cedarburg.

It's always fun when we get to highlight the good things kids are doing.  And these kids at Cedarburg High School are making a difference just by being good friends. Actually, make that best buddies.

It's not often you get to see a can of Pringles and peanut butter roaming the halls.

"Woohoo!" the girls cheered, wearing their Halloween costumes. "We're ready!"

Or dozens of teenagers who can't wait to trick or treat.

"Taking us back to a little bit of their childhood," said teacher and advisor, Jenna Jagler.

But when you get to do it with your friends, that's what makes it fun.

"Well, look at you, you lucky lady," Tess Latzl said to her friend, Linsey Roller. "Should we join this group?"

Roller explained her experience simply.

"I like that you can be different and be who you are," she said.

Roller is a member of Cedarburg High School's Best Buddies program.

"Linsey, your costume's very pretty," Latzl said to Roller, who dressed up as a witch.

For the last two years, the two teens have been paired up as best buddies.

"And so, we've gotten really close, and she sits with me at lunch every other day and it's like super fun," Latzl said.

On this day, they were on the hunt for one thing.

"Chocolate!" Roller exclaimed.

Best Buddies pairs students with and without intellectual and development disabilities.

"We have probably one of the biggest high school chapters in the state," said teacher and advisor Kate Halliburton.

Halliburton and Jagler have been advising the Best Buddies program at Cedarburg High School for a few years. They said about 125 students are involved.

"We get to offer that space for students to feel safe, to feel cared for, to feel supported, and make friends," Halliburton said.

As chapter president, Latzl has been a big part of that.

"And she has really been able to bring her passion for inclusion to our school specifically and we're really fortunate enough to have her," Jagler said.

"Dig for the good stuff," Latzl told Roller as she looked through the candy.

When it comes to Halloween candy, she knows what Roller is looking for. And she also knows there's always room to make someone's day.

"You can pick whatever you want! Take a few," the teacher said.

"Thank you, Miss Acuna," Latzl said as they walked on to the next classroom. 

Because that's what friends are for. Latzl said the Best Buddies program has changed her perspective and taught her a lot.

"Oh wait, like, is this nice? How can I change to make this a nicer thing for someone and how can I make someone feel good," she said.

Latzl is going to UW-Oshkosh next year to study elementary and special education, a decision she made because of Best Buddies.

"I always knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was little, you know. It's one of those things every little kid wants to be," she said. "But then being in Best Buddies, I was like, wait, I want to do special ed, too, like, I want to keep doing this."

Cedarburg High School's chapter also just got the Outstanding Chapter Award, which is awarded to one high school in the state. Latzl is co-chair for Student Advisory Board statewide.

For more information on Best Buddies, click here. 

If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].