Meet Jordyn Church and Jake Hogle

Westfield high school best buddies

During the Best Buddies Launch Party for Champion of the Year

2022, we had the pleasure of hearing from Jordyn and Jake. They have such a beautiful friendship. Hearing them share brought tears to so many eyes during the event that we just had to share it here.

Jordyn: Hi, everyone. My name is Jordyn Church. Jake: And I am Jake Hogle.

Jordyn: Jake and I have been best buddies and best friends for the past two years. I first joined Best Buddies seven years ago when I was in Intermediate School. I didn’t have many friends at the time and didn’t feel like I had a place in my school where I could be myself. That is until I found Best Buddies. I was drawn to Best Buddies because of a colorful poster hanging in the school hallway with the words “inclusion” and “friendship” in bold. Those are the two biggest words that could describe this one-of-a-kind organization. From the day I saw that poster, I have been hooked on Best Buddies and making sure that everyone that I meet gets the opportunity to participate in this amazing organization and community of friends.

Jake: I have been doing Best Buddies since freshman year. I joined because it looked like fun, and I wanted to make more friends. My favorite part is getting to see my friends, dance and talk with everyone.

Jordyn: Jake is like the brother I never had. I include Jake in everything I do, and my other friends and family have gotten to know Jake and have learned from our friendship. Jake is my best friend, and I hope everyone gets to have a friend like him in their life. We have done many things together, like going hiking through Cool Creek Park for Jake’s 18th birthday, getting Culver’s at 7:30 on a school night because I called him craving ice cream and didn’t want to go alone, or even driving around neighborhoods looking at holiday lights over the holiday break.

Jake: My favorite thing we do is watch movies at dinner together when it is just the two of us. We have watched Tangled, Incredibles and many others.

Jordyn: Jake and I have learned so much from being around each other, like how to sing as if no one can hear you or to not care about people watching you run through a sprinkler on a blazing hot summer day. It takes a special someone to make you feel included, and Jake is that extra special person for me.

Thank you so much for attending tonight’s Kick Off Party. By supporting Best Buddies and the Champion of the Year campaign, you are creating a more inclusive community now and in the future. Your support is creating more special friendships like Jake’s and mine. Thanks again, and good luck to all of the Best Buddies champions!