On Dec. 4, an opportunity came up for an OHS student in Best Buddies. Miley Aherns was able to meet her favorite Minnesota Vikings player Harrison Phillips.  Phillips was just recently submitted as the Vikings nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award through the NFL. 

The Walter Peyton Man Of The Year award is awarded to players who put in a lot of effort with volunteer and charity work, as well as their eminence on the field. The winner of the award each year receives a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice, but as a nominee are guaranteed $55,000 to donate to your charity as well. These awards are made possible by the NFL Foundation. It is awarded to show appreciation towards NFL players who have put in effort to be a positive role model for their community. 

Aherns got the opportunity to surprise Phillips, which was very exciting for her since that is her favorite player. Aherns shares how excited she was for Phillips being chosen as a nominee for this award. Miley and her mom won an Award which helped her meet him before. Best Buddies were able to organize this for Ahrens to meet Phillips. Aherns was also excited to meet the Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders who she was able to see the day of the surprise. Miley’s Best Buddy is grader Hayley Schultz.

Best Buddies is an organization that started in 1989 by Anthony Shriver and is a non-profit organization that was created to establish a global volunteer movement. Creating friendship, development in social skills, job opportunities, and inclusivity for all.  Best Buddies mission is to create inclusive living for those living with IDD which stands for “intellectual, and developmental disabilities ‘. Best Buddies is inclusive to all with Down syndrome, autism, Williams Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and more. There are programs all over, in each of the 50 countries at the moment. Their mission is to change the world and change people for the better. 

Best Buddies started at Owatonna High School last year.  The President of the Owatonna chapter, Corrina Jensen said, ”Minnesota Best Buddies will find big opportunities for the students in Best Buddies to experience great things.”Jensen’s position in Best Buddies as president is to oversee connections and make sure everything is going smoothly. She also runs the Owatonna Best Buddies website, which is private to the members of Best Buddies.

This year Best Buddies did a “Dreaming Big Without Limits Fashion Show” in Stillwater. They did a Kendra Scott x Best Buddies MN giveback event in Bloomington, where participants can do some shopping and get some food. Joining Best Buddies is a great way to connect with people and create new friendships.