{"id":174782,"date":"2023-09-28T10:16:22","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T14:16:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?p=174782"},"modified":"2023-09-28T10:17:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T14:17:06","slug":"wells-high-schools-wilson-clough-stands-out-in-3-sports-and-service-to-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/maine\/wells-high-schools-wilson-clough-stands-out-in-3-sports-and-service-to-community","title":{"rendered":"Wells High School’s Wilson Clough stands out in 3 sports and service to community"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Extra-curricular activities are important to student leader Wilson Clough, who established a chapter of Best Buddies at Wells High School. \u201cI actually saw a hockey player at (University of Southern Maine), and he started a Best Buddies chapter there,\u201d he said. “And that kind of inspired me to start one at Wells.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat it\u2019s aimed at doing is creating meaningful one-to-one friendships for kids with and without disabilities,\u201d Clough said. “That\u2019s the goal at the high school level.\u201d He\u2019s passionate about a program that helps break through social barriers during an important time in a young person\u2019s life. \u201cYou have a couple of meetings, and then you match up with a kid with intellectual and developmental disabilities based on their interests,\u201d Clough said. \u201cIt\u2019s a yearlong commitment where they must talk or do an activity with each other outside of school monthly and connect weekly, whether that be through email, mail, text, video chat, or phone. It\u2019s kind of aimed at giving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities the same chance at friendship as any other person.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Clough is also currently trying to earn his Eagle Scout badge by organizing a project called the Friendship Festival and Walk to be held Sunday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Wells Junior High School track. According to Clough, participants will walk for an hour and then enjoy games, music and food. \u201cIt\u2019s meant for people to have a fun time and for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to get a strong sense of community,\u201d he said. The event is an extension of Best Buddies. \u201cJust getting the Eagle project done, that keeps me busy,\u201d Clough said. \u201cI just love sports and being active all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n