Jan 9, 2008 7:34 pm US/Pacific
Student Pairs Peers for Lasting Friendships
Jefferson Award Winner: Jasmine Nachtigall
(CBS 5)
Whether Jasmine Nachtigall is on the court as captain of the tennis team, or performing her duties as Concert Mistress on first violin, or studying for her 4.8 grade point average, this Hillsdale High School senior is impressive.
But there's one classroom where Jasmine feels she's really making a difference: the room that's home to Hillsdale's Best Buddies club, a program that pairs typical students with their special education peers. Jasmine is the group's president.
"We all have our family, we have our professionals, and then we have our friends," Jasmine explains. "But a lot of people with disabilities, they don't have that extra sphere, that friendship."
Jasmine knows personally the impact of this division. Her sister Sophia has autism.
Jasmine says, "Growing up by her side, I've noticed how difficult it could be for students with disabilities to make friends. And when I entered high school, I found the Best Buddies club and found that we could really do something to fill that gap."
In addition to getting the buddies together about three times a month, Jasmine helps plan outside activities where the kids can do what teenagers do.
Best Buddies regional director Ashley Perryman says Jasmine isn't just helping special ed kids, but also her typical peers.
"Jasmine has raised the bar, not just for this school, but for the entire region," Ashley says. "She has brought in a new level of commitment in the Buddies in helping the students to be more engaged, helping them to really adjust their attitude about intellectual disabilities."
"We like to say that Best Buddies isn't just a club, but it's real life," Jasmine adds.
Jasmine says she's looking forward to a more open-minded world.
"So many conflicts arise from differences, but friendship and Best Buddies is all about celebrating those kinds of differences," she says.
So for celebrating differences and creating lasting friendships among teenagers, this week's Jefferson Award in the Bay Area goes to Jasmine Nachtigall.
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