Most teenagers dream about meeting celebrities at some point. For senior Matt Ficca, shaking hands, and even chatting, with his favorite pop star is a dream come true. 

When Ficca and Whitman’s Best Buddies club participated in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Challenge Oct. 23, Ficca got the opportunity to talk one-on-one with pop singer Chris Brown and learn about his life.

“I met him on the walk, which was my favorite part,” Ficca said. “I liked the running the best because I can workout and it’s also fun.”

Best Buddies sponsor Steve Sutherland said he wasn’t surprised that Brown would be drawn to Ficca.

“Matt’s got such an uplifting and positive personality,” he said. “He came in on Monday, and he was super-excited and super-pumped.”

Ficca walked and talked with Brown for most of the walk.

Sophomore Best Buddies member Kayla Prandoni also attended the event to support the club with Ficca and two other members from Whitman.

“Brown was doing the fun-run with us,” she said. “We just started talking. He’s funny and really nice. He’s been involved in Best Buddies stuff for a while, so that’s really good.”

Ficca agreed, and said in the future he wouldn’t mind making a few more celebrity friendships.

“I’m a big fan of Chris Brown,” Ficca said. “He’s my favorite, but maybe I would also like to meet Daughtry some time.”