Every year the Best Buddies program hosts a prom that brings together different schools around the Northern Virginia area. The goals of this event is to help raise money for the the Best Buddies program and to allow the buddies and their peer buddies to have a memorable and good time.

This year the Best Buddies Prom was held on April 28, 2017. The attendance of the prom has been significantly increasing, causing the venue to change every year. This year, the 2017 Best Buddies prom was held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade center in Washington D.C.

The Best Buddies program looked to raise 250,000 dollars this year. With a great turnout, the program exceeded their ideal amount and instead raised 300,000 dollars.

For many, the Best Buddies Prom is an amazing experience. It involves a great amount of dancing, music by an incredible DJ (DJ Neekola), a photo booth, fantastic food, a chance to meet new people, and memories you won’t forget. And all though the dance was for the students, the adults still enjoyed themselves at a separate party next door.

The West Potomac Best Buddies program had a great number of students that attended this year’s prom; with both students who have attended the Best Buddies Prom before and those who went for their first time.

Sophomore Grace McCloud, who is this year activities director in the Best Buddies program at West Potomac and next’s years vice president, has been attending the Best Buddies Prom for two years now.

“My favorite thing about Best Buddies Prom is seeing everyone having such an amazing time,” said McCloud. “And knowing that it means so much to all the buddies, and knowing that they will remember it forever.”

Freshman Mia Vago attended her first Best Buddies Prom this year.

“I really enjoyed it,” said Vago. “One of my favorite things about the Best Buddies Prom was meeting people from different schools and having fun with all the people I’ve met in best buddies this year.”

The Best Buddies program was successful in reaching both their goals this year, as they have been every year.