Who doesn’t love celebrating the beautiful winter season? Millbrook’s Unified Best Buddies certainly enjoy it, throwing an annual winter dance and inviting all club members and people interested in inclusion.

   This year the dance was held on February 6, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. The officers of the club and willing members work with MEB to decorate and set up for the dance after school, using the same decorations for both the Best Bud’s dance and the school-wide Winterbash dance. Sanderson Pals was invited to the dance again, just like in years past. Familiar faces showed up all night long making many smiles continue to last.

   A buffet-style dinner was held before the dance as soon as people began to roll in. The stars of the dinner were the pizza and the Chick-fil-a nuggets, but for dessert, homemade chocolate pretzels were a hit. After fueling up on some dinner, everyone hit the dance floor. All club participants were ready to show off their moves after the previous day’s club meeting, which taught everyone in attendance dances like the cupid shuffle, cha cha slide, whip/nae nae, and more.

   Best Bud’s Co-Presidents, Berkeley Sumner and Caroline Kirby controlled the music for the night. DJing and dancing back and forth, the two took song requests and started karaoke which led to a long list of singers. The upper cafeteria danced and rocked until a few minutes after 8 pm because no one wanted to stop dancing. 

   One of the beloved traditions from the Best Buds Winter Dance is the photo booth. Not only is there a beautiful background for pictures, but the series of three photos you take are printed out into a traditional photo booth-style image. At the bottom of the printed image, the Millbrook logo was centered to remember all the good times that have been shared at the school.

   An officer of Best Buds, senior Sarah Mills tells Cat Talk, her “favorite part was the last song, we all made one big circle and held hands and sang the song together. All the parents and teachers joined too and it was a really special and fun moment.” 

   The annual event created the same amazing smiles that are seen every other week at the Best Bud’s Meetings! If you are looking for a club that celebrates joy and inclusivity, Millbrook Unified Best Bud’s is for you, meeting every first and third Thursday of every month after school.