CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS Today at Springfield Southeast High School, Spartan pride was on full display in the most meaningful way. 
Students, staff, families, and friends from across Central Illinois gathered at Spartan Field & Tom McBride Track & Field for the Best Buddies Walk, a powerful celebration of inclusion, connection, and community.
Best Buddies International is more than a program, it’s a movement that builds one-to-one friendships, promotes leadership opportunities, and creates a culture where students with disabilities feel seen, supported, and truly connected within their school community. In its first year at Southeast, the impact is already clear and growing.
The Spartans are leading the way, helping expand this work to other high schools and beyond. And today’s walk showed exactly why it matters.
We were even joined by a Best Buddies team from East Peoria, reminding us that this mission reaches far beyond one school, it’s a shared commitment to belonging.
Principal Trigg, Spartan staff, and students proudly walked side-by-side, alongside Director of School Support Mr. Lamon and his team, as well as incoming Superintendent Dr. Terrance Jordan.
It was a day filled with hope, happiness, and the kind of joy that comes from making sure everyone has a place to belong.
Because when we walk together, we move forward together.