Special Education Advisor, Sandra "Higgi" Higginbotham (back row, second from right) with Westgaldes Middle School chapter members at the 2010 Friendship Ball.
by BRANDON GILL
Best Buddies Florida
At the healm of the Westglades Middle School Best Buddies chapter since it opened in 2003 has been one of the most dedicated and driven Special Education Advisors with which Best Buddies Broward has had the pleasure to work, Mrs. Sandra Higginbotham. “Higgi”, as Mrs. Higginbotham is most affectionally known by everyone, has made it her personal mission to see Best Buddies grow and thrive at Westglades and throughout Broward County.
This year, sadly, will be Higgi’s last school year as Special Education Advisor as she will be retiring and re-locating out of state after nearly 30 years as a Special Needs Educator and advocate.
Undoubtedly, Higgi paved the way and will be leaving an indelible mark (literally and figuratively) for Best Buddies’ mission of friendship at Westglades from the seven years she has served as the chapter’s Special Education Advisor. Higgi’s empassioned efforts have helped to spread awareness about Best Buddies and its mission at Westglades. For example, the Best Buddies logo is a permanent fixture at the school as it is painted prominently on one of the school’s walls.
There is also a posterboard upon which the Best Buddies mission is written centrally displayed in the school library/media center. This past year, Higgi worked with the Westglades Principal and the Parent-Teacher Association to purchase and hang “Spread the Word to End the Word” posters in all of Westglades classrooms, promoting the joint Best Buddies and Special Olympics campaign to end the use of the derogatory “r-word.”
Under Higgi’s leadership, the Westglades chapter grew and was so active that in the Fall of 2009, the Principal dedicated one of the school’s unused portables for the chapter to meet in and store all of its supplies.
Higgi has also advocated for breaking down the social barriers between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities beyond Westglades as an active member of Best Buddies Broward’s Program Action Committee.
Most notably, for the past several years, she has served as the co-chair of the signature event for the middle and high school participants, the Best Buddies Friendship Ball. Taking the initiative in every detail from theme to event décor, as co-chair, Higgi led the way and worked tirelessly throughout each school year to ensure the unique socially-integrated event was a highlight for all, Buddies, Peer Buddies and parents alike.
“Higgi’s shoes are going to be hard to fill. She will be really missed.” says Christina Echeona, Middle and High School Program Manager for Best Buddies Miami, who fondly remembers working with Higginbotham in 2008-2009.
It is with great gratitude and admiration that Best Buddies Broward honors Sandra “Higgi” Higginbotham for all she has done and been to the Westglades Middle School chapter and Best Buddies, and we wish her all the very best in her retirement and future endeavors.
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