STATEHOUSE (March 19, 2013) – State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) recently welcomed Lafayette Jefferson High School’s Matthew McCalment and Bryce Everett to the Statehouse, where they served as Senate pages.

The students were recognized in the Senate Chamber as a part of the international Best Buddies mentoring program. They spent the day touring the historic building, observing debates and interacting with state legislators.

Best Buddies is a non-profit organization that works to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

“The Best Buddies program is a great opportunity to develop individual friendships with people from all different walks of life,” Alting said. “As a volunteer myself for many years, it’s always inspiring to see so many young people willing to help their fellow classmates.”

Alting noted that Indiana currently has about 75 Best Buddy chapters in middle schools, high schools and colleges — including West Lafayette High School, Lafayette Jefferson High School and Purdue University in Tippecanoe County.

To learn more about Indiana’s Best Buddy program, visit www.BestBuddiesIndiana.org.