Seniors Jessie Chin and Emily Sartain won the “Buddy Pair of the Year” for Best Buddies Maryland at the Best of Maryland Awards April 2. 

The organization chose Chin and Sartain out of 75 nominated couples from the state’s 52 high school chapters.

“I’m really happy,” Sartain said.  “It wasn’t expected, but Jessie and I have a really strong connection.  I’m glad that could be recognized.”

Chin was also ecstatic to win the award.

“When they called our names, Jessie was yelling and smiling.  She held onto that award so tightly; you couldn’t pull it away from her,” Sartain said.

Teachers, parents and fellow members first nominate buddy pairs.  The Best Buddies Maryland organization then looks at friendship reports, logs of buddy activities and communications submitted throughout the year, and staff observations of the buddy pair’s public interactions to determine three finalists and the winning pair.

“We spend a lot of time together during the week,” Sartain said.  “We have sleepovers, see movies and go to dances, anything you normally do with friends.”

The annual event recognizes Best Buddies Maryland participants and chapters in a mock-Hollywood awards show.  Awards include “Participant of the Year” and “Chapter of the Year” in addition to “Buddy Pair of the Year.”

Whitman’s Best Buddies was also a finalist for “Chapter of the Year.”