A Special Friendship Between Two Students

by James Poulakidas

Friendship is the one thing that is common throughout the world. No matter who you are, or where you’re from, making friendships is as natural as walking and talking; everyone has friends and probably several of them. But there is one kind of friendship that is far superior to others. It’s the person who you always want to hang around with. It’s that person who always has your back. It’s that person who knows you better than you know yourself. It’s your best friend; seniors Rory O’Brien and Alex Dres are no strangers to the idea of having a best friend.

Ever since they met through the Best Buddies program in their junior year, Rory and Alex have been the best of friends.  In fact, they have found that they have a strong connection and much in common. O’Brien says he and Alex share many interests.

“We both love Bon Jovi and action movies, and that’s made a real connection between us,” said O’Brien.

In addition to having a lot in common, the two love to hang out with each other. In school, you can find them strolling through the halls together enjoying each other’s company. However, it is after school where the real fun happens according to O’Brien.

“We like to go to the movies, or go ice skating. He’s a much better skater than I am, though,” said O’Brien.

Dres, too, has some special memories that he considers his favorite.

“The football game in Arlington when I wore Rory’s jersey and when we went ice skating [are my] favorite memories with Rory,” said Dres.

O’Brien concurs.

“My favorite memory definitely has to be a football game we had in Arlington and Alex came to it. He wore my jersey and cheered for me the whole game. After the game he came down onto the field and we got to hang out for a little bit before the bus left, “said O’Brien. “But seeing him in the stands cheering for me was one of my favorite memories in high school, not just one of my favorites with Alex.”

O’Brien credits Best Buddies with the beginning of their friendship, but maintaining the friendship is all them.

“It’s not just a friendship that we maintain because of the Best Buddies program, which does a great job, but our friendship is a lot more than that,” said O’Brien. We hang out and spend time together because we love spending time together; we really are best friends and I know we’ll continue to stay close after we graduate.”

Rory and Alex fit all of the descriptions of being best friends. It is a special friendship that neither would trade for anything.