Students Speak
H.A., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, now attending George Washington University
BFF Leadership extends beyond what the eye can see. Like the small crystal gems in a hard diamond rock, the impact of BFF Leadership goes beyond the glitter and shine. It extends beyond the programs and practices and it travels far beyond the trips and sessions. Diamond Girl, to me, is second base. It is where I can go for confirmation and assurance that I am doing the right thing. I love being a Diamond Girl because I love being accepted. I love not being judged and most importantly I love knowing that somebody cares.
K.A., Graduate of Columbia Heights Educational Campus, now attending North Carolina A&T
Instead of writing 250 words about what this Foundation means to me, one can just look at my life and see what it has done for me. At the end of the day, without Best Friends I could not have realized that I cannot affect the world if I cannot change myself first.”
E.D.III, Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, now attending Delaware State University
The BFF Leadership program has had a major impact on my life. It has nurtured my character so I can become the man, leader and person that I am destined to be. To be a Best Man requires dignity, empowerment, support, communication and accountability. Today’s generation lacks mentors, positive role models, and most important love. I am grateful that I have received the opportunity to receive all that. Best Men has helped me make great friends, serve my community, say no to drugs and alcohol and risky behavior. It has also taught me the values of marriage, proper etiquette and the traits of a leader. All the many things that I have learned are not only valuable to me but also my family, friends and community. Best Men gives us the power and courage to change lives all over the world. I am honored and proud to say I am a Best Man.
C.H., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, now attending Virginia Commonwealth University
Best Men is self explanatory, think about it. Best – which is to do great, or be great. A man – which is to be responsible, take care of yourself and your family. So when you’re called a Best Man then you’re better than an ordinary man. You’re striving to be the best you can be. To be a Best Man you must demonstrate strong qualities. Best Men has taught me that it is possible to be strong but soft hearted and compassionate, and always participate and give back to my family and community. That’s what Best Men means to me!
A.C., Graduate of School Without Walls, now attending Savannah State University
Over the course of my life, I have been involved in many things and out of all of them my experience with the Best Friends Foundation has had the biggest impact on me. From the moment I first attended a meeting, I knew this was something I would thoroughly enjoy.
Being a part of the Diamond Girls choir has given me the opportunity to do a lot of things I like to do at once: interact with friends, and brainstorm ideas. Originally, I was never one to really sing any place other than at home, and even then I had to make sure that I was alone. After joining the choir, however, I tend to catch myself singing the Diamond Girls theme song or other songs that I have come across. To me, catching myself singing out loud is a sign of happiness.
The friendships, lessons and morale that I have gained simply from being a part of this program are things that I will cherish throughout my life. I am a confident that as I enter college that I can apply all that I have learned and make the best possible choices. I am confident that I can excel in whatever I do. And I am confident that I am and shall remain a Diamond Girl.
A.D., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, now attending University of Virginia
My involvement in the Best Friends program started when I was in the seventh grade at Francis Junior High School. When I first signed up for the program, I thought that it wouldn’t have a significant impact on my teenage years. As time went on, I was quick to find out that I was wrong. In the first session that I attended, we talked about relationships with friends, families and significant others. In the session, I learned that communication was important in every healthy relationship.
The lyrics to the Best Friends theme song taught me a lot of things. For example, “Don’t ever think that sex is a test of love”. This quote alone has given me the knowledge, power, and strength to be able to say no and stay true to myself. “You’re just a teen one time, make it a special time, save your growing up for the life ahead of you…don’t give into wisdom from the crowd”. The words in this song have also been great advice because throughout my high school year, I have had the ability to not just go along with the crowd. I have made positive choices that have kept me on the path of graduating from high school and entering college.
N.C.K., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, now attending St. Augustine’s College, Raleigh, NC
I am happy to be a Best Man, because it has helped me stay focused during my high school career. It has given me something positive to do on the weekends to have fun hanging out with my friends. I have learned a lot. From Mr. Carter and Mr. Kistler I have learned about the importance of healthy relations with my peers, the benefits of marriage and most importantly how to grow as a man and be a leader. Best Men means a lot to me and something I take great pride in. Best Men is an outstanding leadership program for young men. In conclusion, I would like to say long live Best Men and the people who keep it going.
B.M., Senior, McKinley Technology High School
Best Men means three thing to me. One is responsibility, two is courage and three is showing effort. To be responsible is to be on time, to be prepared and to have your priorities in place. To have courage is not to be afraid of getting involved with positive clubs and don’t be afraid to have positive friends. To show effort is to do the best you can in everything you do! That’s what being a Best Man means to me!
T.D., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, now attending University of New Haven
Best Friends and Diamond Girl means a lot to me. In a way it is my safe haven, my quiet place. When I am at the meetings, I feel like everything is right in the world. In short Best Friends and Diamond Girl is like my life. I have the best time there.
Y.H., Former senior at Anacostia High School, currently a Best Friends Foundation scholarship recipient attending Pennsylvania State University
I never knew I had a choice. I did not know that it was easier to avoid risky behavior than to deal with the consequences. Until I joined the Best Friends Foundation, I did not understand the impact of my decision on the outcome of my future. To me, the Best Friends Foundation has been the reinsurance that I need in the face of peer pressure. Without the Foundation, I would not have gained the confidence to create my own ethical standards and adhere to them. The Best Friends Foundation has been my backbone, my support system, and my hero.
One of the most valuable lessons I will carry with me forever from the Best Friends Foundation is the importance of good health, and nobody reinforced this more than Mrs. Burns. I am so grateful to have had such a strong support system throughout my high school career. When all else failed I knew the Foundation would be there. No matter what was going on I always had someone to turn to. During my junior year when I was facing some tough personal times, Mrs. Hamlette kept an open ear and always provided her words of wisdom, and for that I will be eternally thankful. The Best Friends Foundation has given me so much in such a short amount of time. I have gained something special from Mr. Carter and Mr. Kistler to Mrs. Goldsmith and Ms. Long, and nobody has made me feel more special in the entire world than Mrs. Bennett. Mrs. Bennett is my fairy godmother who can solve every problem I have with just a hug. Every single person who has worked to keep the Best Friends Foundation in operation is truly my hero. If I could summarize what Best Friends means to me in one sentence it would be, dream big, and know that the only way you will reach that dream is by staying on a straight path. Best Friends showed me that path.
H.M., Jr., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School now attending Bowie State University
I play football and hope to continue playing in college. Best Men has helped me get mentally ready for college and has given me the tools to succeed in life. I have been presented with a variety of tough scenarios that I am likely to be faced with in the near future. How will I handle the pressure of a girlfriend asking me to have sex when I’m not ready? Which people I meet are really friends or merely people who act as friends? Best Men has helped me address these issues and given me the tools to make informed and positive decisions.
J.M., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School now attending Boston College – Washington, DC campus
I want to have a caring and trustworthy wife and eventually a nice family. As long as she and I can help make each other better, that’s all I could ask for. She must be down to earth, caring, up front, and reliable. She has to be the epitome of what a Diamond Girl is and embody those standards.
S.S., Graduate of Wilson Senior High School, now employed at Pot Belly Sandwich as a Certified Trainer
Best Friends is more than just a program to me, it is a family. Someone or somewhere I can run to with any problem or situation and they would welcome me with open arms. Not only are they a support system, they are people who make me a better person. I have been with Best Friends for six years and never have I had people other than my family to have my back like they do. But then again they are like a family so there is no reason to separate the two. Best Friends has molded me into the person I am today.
I have learned the values of a true “Best Friend” and that I don’t need drugs or alcohol, but love and affection and kind honest people around. I’ve learned values that I will keep for years to come and it’s all thanks to Best Friends. I will always cherish, love and appreciate this program, but most of all… the people in it.
S.W., Graduate of Wilson Senior High School, now attending a Job Corps program
Best Friends/Diamond Girls is a program that helps us with important life decisions. A friend is defined as someone who makes you a better person and that is what the Best Friends staff is doing. Being a Diamond Girl inspired me to become a better decision maker, get through pressured situations and to choose the people I want in my life.
Y.T., Graduate of Wilson Senior High School now attending South Carolina State
Best Men is not a set of rules, number of directives or series of steps. Best Men shows you the path that is comfortable for you. It is a program that deals with reality, freedom and choice. Best Men gives you a bird’s eye view of life and how to deal with different positive and negative situations such as risky behavior, peer-pressure, alcohol and drug abuse. Best Men has given me the tools to be a leader and succeed in the real world.
C.H., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, now attending Howard University
Best Friends means to me another family I have gained. A program that does not have cliques and has just one giant group of friends who treats everyone like brothers and sisters.
J.C., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, now attending North Carolina A & T
This Foundation has also served as a second family to me. There has always been someone there to talk to when I feel like I don’t have anyone to turn to. The adults never cease to show their support in not only our academics but also in the personal aspect of our lives. They encourage us to keep reaching up and never quitting even when we do reach the top.
D.A., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, now attending Montgomery Community College
The Best Friends Foundation means so much to me. I never took the word “Commitment” seriously until I became a member of Best Men Leadership. This program has helped me to grow and mature. Being a part of the program has helped me to understand so many things about myself I never knew and pushed me to my fullest potential.
