Carson-Newman Best Buddies attend Nashville prom

^{The Carson-Newman chapter of Best Buddies recently attended the third annual Best Buddies Tennessee Prom in Nashville. Members of the C-N group who attended included, left to right, Kelli Monday, Emily Rhodes, Willie Hutchins, Kathy Ballard, Brandie Gilliam, Ariel Fisher, and Amanda Gibson.}

On Sunday, Feb. 17, Carson-Newman University’s chapter of Best Buddies attended the third annual Best Buddies Tennessee Prom that was held in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Best Buddies is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The trip was made possible from funding provided by Best Buddies Tennessee, which provided a charter bus to escort the Buddies from Jefferson City to Nashville. It was the first Best Buddies Tennessee Prom for C-N’s chapter.

The Buddies enjoyed the night with music, food, dancing and singing. They also received superstar treatment as they “Walked the Gold Carpet” before entering the arena floor.

“This opportunity to attend prom showed the buddies that people really do care, and want to have a real friendship with them,” said C-N’s Best Buddies president, Brandie Gilliam. “For Best Buddies Tennessee to raise all the money they did just for our small chapter to come was unbelievable. It inspires us to try and reach out to more people to volunteer for the Best Buddies organization.”