At first glance, Ali Bhatti and Kaushika Srikanth might seem like an unlikely pair. Ali, a Grade 11 special education student, is naturally quiet and reserved; Kaushika, a Grade 12 student, is outgoing and always eager to connect with others. Through the Best Buddies program, the two were given the chance to meet, and they’ve since built a connection that transcends first impressions.
They were introduced at Brampton Centennial Secondary School’s Best Buddies Meet and Greet, when Kaushika noticed an empty seat beside Ali and decided to sit down. They both remember a good first impression of the other that day, marking the start of a friendship that has helped them grow in confidence, discover new opportunities, and build connections across their school community.
In the early stages of getting to know each other, Ali spoke in a whisper and wasn’t comfortable holding long conversations. The two quickly learned to communicate in their own unique way. “Ali isn’t the biggest talker,” Kaushika explains, “but he loves to do activities. He shows friendship through his actions.”
Whether they’re playing sports, making arts and crafts, cooking, or playing board games, they’re happiest spending time together. Some of their favourite shared activities include badminton, beanbag-toss games, and working on large puzzles. They also enjoy Best Buddies group activities like bowling and Just Dance. During one memorable classroom game, Ali participated in an “All About Me” Kahoot, sharing fun facts about himself with his classmates. Kaushika has watched him grow more confident meeting new people and stepping outside of his comfort zone. “He’s opened up so much more since I first met him,” she says. “As our friendship has progressed, he’s become a lot more talkative and open with me.”
Ali hit a milestone in his personal growth when their Best Buddies chapter performed in Brampton Centennial’s Christmas talent show. He was nervous about learning a dance and performing in front of an audience, but he didn’t have to do it alone. Kaushika rehearsed the routine with him and the group, then stood in the audience during the performance to help guide him through it. With her support and encouragement, he found the courage to perform in front of the entire school.
For both students, Best Buddies has opened doors to an extended community. They’ve made friends they might never have met otherwise, building a larger circle of connection and inclusion at school. They spend time together outside of official Best Buddies meetings and even met up at prom. This level of integration is rare at many high schools, where special education classrooms are often separated from mainstream classrooms with little chance for students to meaningfully connect.
Kaushika has noticed a shift in attitude among the student body since joining the program. Walking past the Best Buddies classroom, she sees buddies conversing with students in the hallways and being welcomed and included. Students stick up for the buddies and speak up against bullying, athletes cheer on buddies at Best Buddies sports events, and the school even hosted an inclusive, accessible dance for the buddies to enjoy. At Brampton Centennial, Best Buddies helps special education students feel like they belong.
Kaushika says the program has impacted how she thinks about friendship and inclusion. “It teaches you empathy, and it’s very introspective,” she says. “You gain a better understanding of your own set of morals. There are so many biases against people with disabilities and witnessing it and helping these students firsthand helps break that down.”
She refers to another student in the program whom people often assume is shy or uninterested in talking until they get to know him and discover how thoughtful, intelligent, and talented he is. “He’s very smart and just needs someone to connect with to open up. When you spend time with someone and get to know them, your assumptions disappear.”
Building friendships in Best Buddies takes patience and consistency, she says. “A lot of peer buddies get discouraged because they think the friendship isn’t going anywhere. But consistency is a big thing. The more consistent you are, the more they get to talk to you, and the more they open up.” For Ali, that steady presence week after week transformed into a lasting friendship.
Both students believe Best Buddies will shape their futures – and those of their peers – well beyond high school. “It gives students confidence,” Kaushika says. “Some students may feel excluded, and that can affect them later in life. Best Buddies helps them build independence and important life skills.” The school’s cooking program, for example, teaches special education students how to prepare meals independently, giving them a real sense of pride in creating something themselves (Ali and Kaushika’s go-to recipe is butter chicken – always a hit with the class!). For Ali and Kaushika, Best Buddies is proof of how inclusion, empathy, and understanding can transform individual lives and communities. As they look ahead, they know they’ve found a meaningful friendship in each other that will last far beyond high school.