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Past and Present Scholars
Our college graduates represent the lasting impact of Best Friends Foundation programs across the country. These students have successfully completed their academic journeys and continue to make meaningful contributions nationwide.
Students Speak
Real stories from the students whose lives have been transformed through education, mentorship, and opportunity. Discover how your support helps open doors, build confidence, and create lasting impact for the next generation.
H.A., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, attended George Washington University
BFF Leadership extends beyond what the eye can see. Like the small crystal gems in a hard diamond rock, the impact of BFF Leadership goes beyond the glitter and shine. It extends beyond the programs and practices and it travels far beyond the trips and sessions. Diamond Girl, to me, is second base. It is where I can go for confirmation and assurance that I am doing the right thing. I love being a Diamond Girl because I love being accepted. I love not being judged and most importantly I love knowing that somebody cares.
K.A., Graduate of Columbia Heights Educational Campus, attended North Carolina A&T
Instead of writing 250 words about what this Foundation means to me, one can just look at my life and see what it has done for me. At the end of the day, without Best Friends I could not have realized that I cannot affect the world if I cannot change myself first.”
E.D.III, Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, attended Delaware State University
The BFF Leadership program has had a major impact on my life. It has nurtured my character so I can become the man, leader and person that I am destined to be. To be a Best Man requires dignity, empowerment, support, communication and accountability. Today’s generation lacks mentors, positive role models, and most important love. I am grateful that I have received the opportunity to receive all that. Best Men has helped me make great friends, serve my community, say no to drugs and alcohol and risky behavior. It has also taught me the values of marriage, proper etiquette and the traits of a leader. All the many things that I have learned are not only valuable to me but also my family, friends and community. Best Men gives us the power and courage to change lives all over the world. I am honored and proud to say I am a Best Man.
C.H., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, attended Virginia Commonwealth University
Best Men is self explanatory, think about it. Best – which is to do great, or be great. A man – which is to be responsible, take care of yourself and your family. So when you’re called a Best Man then you’re better than an ordinary man. You’re striving to be the best you can be. To be a Best Man you must demonstrate strong qualities. Best Men has taught me that it is possible to be strong but soft hearted and compassionate, and always participate and give back to my family and community. That’s what Best Men means to me!
A.C., Graduate of School Without Walls, attended Savannah State University
Over the course of my life, I have been involved in many things and out of all of them my experience with the Best Friends Foundation has had the biggest impact on me. From the moment I first attended a meeting, I knew this was something I would thoroughly enjoy.
Being a part of the Diamond Girls choir has given me the opportunity to do a lot of things I like to do at once: interact with friends, and brainstorm ideas. Originally, I was never one to really sing any place other than at home, and even then I had to make sure that I was alone. After joining the choir, however, I tend to catch myself singing the Diamond Girls theme song or other songs that I have come across. To me, catching myself singing out loud is a sign of happiness.
The friendships, lessons and morale that I have gained simply from being a part of this program are things that I will cherish throughout my life. I am a confident that as I enter college that I can apply all that I have learned and make the best possible choices. I am confident that I can excel in whatever I do. And I am confident that I am and shall remain a Diamond Girl.
T.D., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, attended University of New Haven
Best Friends and Diamond Girl means a lot to me. In a way it is my safe haven, my quiet place. When I am at the meetings, I feel like everything is right in the world. In short Best Friends and Diamond Girl is like my life. I have the best time there.
Y.H., Former senior at Anacostia High School, Best Friends Foundation scholarship recipient who attended Pennsylvania State University.
- She passed away after an accident while traveling to Kenya. We miss her bright spirit and will never forget how she gave back her love and commitment to BFF. She was not only a great student but a great teacher. She was a wonderful person.
I never knew I had a choice. I did not know that it was easier to avoid risky behavior than to deal with the consequences. Until I joined the Best Friends Foundation, I did not understand the impact of my decision on the outcome of my future. To me, the Best Friends Foundation has been the reinsurance that I need in the face of peer pressure. Without the Foundation, I would not have gained the confidence to create my own ethical standards and adhere to them. The Best Friends Foundation has been my backbone, my support system, and my hero.
One of the most valuable lessons I will carry with me forever from the Best Friends Foundation is the importance of good health, and nobody reinforced this more than Mrs. Burns. I am so grateful to have had such a strong support system throughout my high school career. When all else failed I knew the Foundation would be there. No matter what was going on I always had someone to turn to. During my junior year when I was facing some tough personal times, Mrs. Hamlette kept an open ear and always provided her words of wisdom, and for that I will be eternally thankful. The Best Friends Foundation has given me so much in such a short amount of time. I have gained something special from Mr. Carter and Mr. Kistler to Mrs. Goldsmith and Ms. Long, and nobody has made me feel more special in the entire world than Mrs. Bennett. Mrs. Bennett is my fairy godmother who can solve every problem I have with just a hug. Every single person who has worked to keep the Best Friends Foundation in operation is truly my hero. If I could summarize what Best Friends means to me in one sentence it would be, dream big, and know that the only way you will reach that dream is by staying on a straight path. Best Friends showed me that path.
H.M., Jr., Graduate of McKinley Technology High School, attended Bowie State University
I play football and hope to continue playing in college. Best Men has helped me get mentally ready for college and has given me the tools to succeed in life. I have been presented with a variety of tough scenarios that I am likely to be faced with in the near future. How will I handle the pressure of a girlfriend asking me to have sex when I’m not ready? Which people I meet are really friends or merely people who act as friends? Best Men has helped me address these issues and given me the tools to make informed and positive decisions.
S.S., Graduate of Wilson Senior High School now known as Jackson-Reed High School.
Best Friends is more than just a program to me, it is a family. Someone or somewhere I can run to with any problem or situation and they would welcome me with open arms. Not only are they a support system, they are people who make me a better person. I have been with Best Friends for six years and never have I had people other than my family to have my back like they do. But then again they are like a family so there is no reason to separate the two. Best Friends has molded me into the person I am today.
I have learned the values of a true “Best Friend” and that I don’t need drugs or alcohol, but love and affection and kind honest people around. I’ve learned values that I will keep for years to come and it’s all thanks to Best Friends. I will always cherish, love and appreciate this program, but most of all… the people in it.
“When you invest in a student, you don’t just change one life,
you impact families, communities, and generations to come.
These graduates are your legacy in action.”
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