This week’s Campus Celebrity is Alex Graham. Alex is a senior accounting major who currently serves as club president for the new Best Buddies chapter at Marist. Like any senior, Alex wants to make her last months at Marist special – and she’s certainly doing so. Alex has a special connection to the organization she brought to Marist and Her Campus Marist sat down with her to find out more about her story and Best Buddies.
HC: Looking back on all four years, how was your experience at Marist?
AG: It was amazing! I don’t want to leave… every time I see that countdown I just want to rip it off the wall! But it was incredible and I wouldn’t take anything back, I have learned so much over the last four years.
HC: What inspired you to become a part of an organization like Best Buddies?
AG: My younger brother has Down syndrome and I’ve learned so much from him that I can’t even begin to explain. I feel like it’s so important for people our age to get that same experience I had with him through this kind of organization. I want people to see that they [people with disabilities] are just like us.
HC: March 4th is “Spread the Word to End the Word” day. Can you tell us more about that and how students at Marist can get involved?
AG: “Spread the Word to End the Word” is a national day of awareness held annually and it’s a chance to show people that using the r-word is derogatory. I know it’s very commonly used with people our age and I feel it’s important for Marist students to see how hurtful it can be. On Wednesday March 4th, during activity hour, Best Buddies will be having a bake sale by the cabaret, as well as a banner students can sign pledging to end the use of the r-word.
HC: What do you want others to take away from a day like “Spread the Word to End the Word”?
AG: Just for people to become more aware that they shouldn’t say the r-word. The people you’re offending when you use the r-word are not stupid, or any lesser, so it’s certainly not fair to them.
HC: What do you think is the best thing about working so closely with an organization like Best Buddies, through Marist or past experiences?
AG: It teaches you something that you can’t learn in school and you get to build a friendship with someone. The buddies that members will be matched with could end up being someone’s life-long friend. Through the Best Buddies organization, I’ve seen people who are 50 years old who have friendships with their best buddies from high school. It’s truly a great organization and even though it’s new, I want it to take off and see others have a wonderful experience with it.
For more on Marist Best Buddies, visit the Facebook page (Best Buddies Marist College Chapter) or contact Alex Graham at alexandria.graham1@marist.edu.