LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — For the first-year students of the Best Buddies Club at Los Alamitos High School, building connections and fostering inclusivity has been their main goal. Brought to LAHS by junior Rosalie Ha to create meaningful friendships between the life skills and general education students on campus, the club has quickly become a foundation of meaningful social engagement on campus.

This year, under the leadership of Ha, the club’s president, and the guidance of LAHS teacher and coach Mrs. Weber, the club organized a memorable event that brought the excitement of Special Olympics to LAHS: a bocce ball tournament.

LAHS holds the title of being a CIF United Champions School, which showcases the school’s commitment to creating an inclusive culture through athletics. As a United Champions School, LAHS emphasizes participation, friendship and teamwork across all students, regardless of ability, a mission that matches the goals of the Best Buddies Club.

Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated to providing sports training and athletic competition for individuals with disabilities. By hosting a Special Olympics event on campus, LAHS offers students the opportunity for all students to participate in meaningful competition and build confidence. For this event, students participated in bocce ball.

Bocce ball is a sport similar to lawn bowling; the goal is to roll balls toward a smaller ball, getting as close to it as possible. The sport is simple and adaptable; it focuses on skill rather than strength, making it an ideal sport for people of all abilities.

On Thursday, Dec. 11, and Friday, Dec. 12, at lunch, the field behind the 400s building was transformed into a vibrant playing area. Before the games started, participants had a brief explanation of the bocce ball rules, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their prior experience, could participate in the event. Each team chose a name, and numerous scorekeepers were assigned to keep the matches organized.

Recognizing that some students used wheelchairs, the robotics group on campus constructed a custom ramp to make the game fully accessible for all students. This considerate act ensured that every student was able to participate equally and demonstrated the power of teamwork across various groups on campus.

“I was so excited for this event because hanging out with this group of kids is so fun and such a positive experience,” said Ha.

The enthusiasm of LAHS staff and members of the Best Buddies Club was clear throughout the day, as students and staff laughed, cheered and celebrated each other’s successes on the bocce court.

“It’s really nice to expand our social group and highlight inclusivity at (LAHS),” said Ha.

The few matches were competitive yet friendly, and the event concluded with smiles, countless high fives and of course, a sweet treat. Donuts were provided for all participants to enjoy after the games.

The impact of the event extended far beyond the courts. For many students, this event was an opportunity to build friendships that might not have formed in a regular classroom setting. It was a chance for general education students to learn from and with their peers with special needs, and for special education students to experience teamwork and inclusion in a fun, meaningful way, reinforcing the school’s mission as a CIF United Champions School.

Gallery • 6 Photos

Alizabeth Martin

Staff and students cheer from the sidelines as game participants roll their team's balls.

The efforts of the Best Buddies Club, along with the support of school staff and board members, turned a simple game of bocce ball into a powerful celebration of community and inclusion. The Best Buddies Club, in its first year at LAHS, proved that with dedication, creativity and heart, meaningful impact is possible. 

Through sports, social events and collaborative projects, the club is helping to build a school culture where everyone belongs, on the court, in the classroom and in the community.