WELCOME TO THE GALA

Jakob McMillan, a Grade 9 student at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, lights up as he enters the Best Buddies Christmas gala hosted at his school on Thursday through a "welcoming gauntlet." St. Thomas More played host as seven local high schools with a Best Buddies program teamed up for a Christmas gala. More than 40 students and a dozen staff teamed up to put on the evening of fun for about 80 special needs students that are part of the Best Buddies program. Best Buddies is a national charity that teams up students with special needs with their school-age peers for events, mentoring and, most importantly, friendship.