Best Buddies Friendship Walk at TU promotes inclusion and awareness

Bixby High School students are helping lead Oklahoma’s Best Buddies program, which promotes inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through friendship and leadership opportunities.

Friday, April 18th 2025, 9:08 am

By: Brooke Cox

TULSA, Okla. -

*Editor’s note: The video interview in this story incorrectly stated the walk is on Sunday. The correct date is Saturday, April 19.*

Journey Parchman and Carter Storts, serving as the 2025–26 Chapter President and Vice President of Best Buddies at Bixby High School, are leading the charge to build inclusive communities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

What Is Best Buddies?

Best Buddies is a global organization that fosters one-to-one friendships and leadership development for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The program helps participants form meaningful relationships and develop communication and leadership skills.

The Oklahoma chapter of Best Buddies began in 2021, launching programs at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and several Bixby Public Schools sites.

Building Friendships Through Inclusion

Through their involvement, Parchman and Storts say the most rewarding part of Best Buddies is the opportunity to build strong, supportive bonds with peers who have disabilities.

The friendships developed through the program are often described as life-changing and deeply meaningful.

Friendship Walk to Celebrate Inclusion

The Best Buddies Friendship Walk, the organization's flagship event, raises awareness and funds to support inclusion for people with IDD. The walk brings together students, educators, families, and corporate teams in a show of community support.

This year's walk takes place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at the University of Tulsa’s Thomas Plaza. Participants from Bixby, Union, Jenks, TU, OU, OSU, and local communities are expected to attend.