The Viper Vibe <![CDATA[The Viper Vibe]]> http://my.hsj.org/Portals/2/logos/__TFMF_fig4be55s44qj3552bwjpiv3_47cbebac-86fd-49f5-abda-23875feba596_0___Selected.jpg en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:48:25 GMT 15 <![CDATA[All are royalty at Best Buddies Prom]]> By Natalie Diaz/Staff Reporter

photo courtesy of Best Buddies
Best Buddies Club had their own prom this year and gave out their own version of Superlatives.

For the first time in Felix Varela history, the school opened their doors to allow the Best Buddies students from our school enjoy their very own prom.     On Thursday May 7, the students were accompanied by their parents, teachers and Best Buddies club students.     “It was a beautiful event,” said Activities Director Ms.Felicia Christin.     Best Buddies is a club at Varela that gives the students a chance to partner up with other students that have disabilities.     This year, due to the great increased responsibility and support of the Best Buddies club, members and teachers decided to give the Best Buddies’ students an opportunity to enjoy their very own prom.     This prom was held right here in the school cafeteria and allowed the students a chance to dress up, dance, and eat delicious food as well as receive numerous awards. There were superlatives, an award ceremony, and the crowning of class king and queen.     However this crowning was different from the usual prom king and queen crowning ceremony. Each student was presented with a crown and sash and told that they were all kings and queens.         “They are all special so they were all crowned,” said Ms. Mercedes Parada the head of the Best Buddies program. Goodie bags and prizes were also awarded to the students.     “This prom was made possible due to the great support received from the Best Buddies club members,” said Mrs. Parada.          According to Mrs. Parada the students labored for days putting together this prom to make it a memorable event for the Best Buddies students.     They made the invitations, a slide show, the sashes, the balloon arc amongst other little gifts and goodies to make the event a grand celebration. Parents and teachers also played an important role in the celebration, donating food and even a DJ for the student’s entertainment.     The event was even featured in the Miami Herald’s Neighbors section.     On the success of the prom, Mrs. Parada said, “I feel that the prom turned out really well. As years go on, we can make improvements because everything can be done better but I feel that the prom was a success.”     This has motivated the teachers to continue to hold a Best Buddies prom for the following years.     “The students are so good and they never get a chance to experience anything like this,” said Parada.     Prom is something that lives on in most high school students’ memories. Hopefully for the Best Buddies students, this event will be a celebration that will live on in their lives forever. The hard work of the students as well as the teachers and parents was evident and the students’ truly enjoyed themselves.     The Best Buddies prom was an eventful night that will live on not only in our memories, but Varela history. ]]> Fri, 29 May 2009 19:37:02 GMT