Rally Foundation + MBA = Good Times and Great Work

On Friday, October 26, MBA held our 8th annual 4 Quarters 4 Research event at the football game against Baylor.  Under the leadership of Senior Garrett Murphy and Sophomore Charlie Mason and with the help of the great Elaine Kay and the Rally Kids, our community raised $1150.  A special thanks to our friends from The Baylor School for joining in our cause and giving generously.

Mrs. Kay wrote:

"Thank you all for a wonderful 8th year MBA Rally 4 Quarters 4 Research.  Because of you, an awesome $1,150 was raised to help save kids with cancer!   You all did such a great job organizing, collecting and helping to set up and clean up.  A perfect way to celebrate NO MO CHEMO for sweet Chevanaye and 4 years of cancer free for our ball of energy and goodness, Jessica!

The icing on the cake was a 7-0 WIN over Baylor… Rally On, Big Red!"

Look forward to another event during basketball season and to seeing our Rally friends on campus again soon!

MBA Boys Raise Over $1500 for Hurricane Michael Victims

The MBA community, under the leadership of juniors Sam Kirkpatrick and Will Crawford, partnered with the Sandestin Foundation for Kids to raise money for goods needed by our friends on the Gulf Coast.  The event was a huge success, and we greatly appreciate the generosity of our students, faculty, staff, parents and friends.  Items will be sent to Sandestin to be distributed directly to families affected by Hurricane Michael.

Another BIG Year at Race for the Cure

MBA joined forces with Harpeth Hall again this year for Race for the Cure 2018, and again the event was purposeful and fun and successful by all measures.  Our team of 350 members raised over $9000!  Despite the rain, the crowd was enthusiastic and ready to roll.  A special shout out to the HH and MBA 7th and 8th graders who attended the pre-race service mixer, enjoying donut holes, games, music and hot chocolate.

Thanks to the Browns and Deerkoskis for providing Duncan Donut treats and coffee to round out the fun.

Junior School Gets Its Own SERVICE Trip ... Costa Rica 2019!

For the first time, MBA is proud to offer an international service trip for Junior School boys.  From June 22-29, 2019, a group of MBA volunteers will travel to the rural town of Santa Cruz, in the Guanacaste Province, an area where children are predominantly supported by single mothers working long hours to provide basic needs for their family.  As such, daycares are a centerpiece of a child’s life, providing nutrition, education, and developmental care.  Unfortunately, these centers are often small, understaffed, in poor repair and lack basic resources.  We will work both to improve the facilities and directly with the young people to improve their skills and readiness for primary school.  We will also engage in daily cultural outings and adventures such as surf lessons and ziplining!  The cost of the trip is $2300, including meals in CR, lodging, activities and transportation.

Keep a lookout for additional information in parent newsletters and announcements as the semester goes forward, or contact Ms. Annie B. Williams with any questions you have now.

For a quick overview, look here.

Felix and Bela Kick Off a New Year of MBA Parking

Having trouble finding a spot?  Park with us @ the lot of Vine Street Church for each home game.  All proceeds go to the MBA Service Club.

Zombie Prom Cast Performs @ Park Manor

Reflections on #BBLC - by Joe Stevens ('19)

This past July I traveled to Indiana University where the annual Best Buddies Leadership conference is held. This conference brings chapters from around the world to one place so that all Best Buddies Chapter leaders can learn what their responsibilities are as Chapter Presidents and become familiarized with the Best Buddies Organization. There is also a little bit of partying on the side. 

I arrived there on a Friday afternoon with the rest of the middle Tennessee chapters. We unpacked in our dorms and got acquainted with our roommates. We then went to dinner before the big opening ceremony. After dinner, we went to opening ceremonies, which were quite amazing. Many people spoke about what Best Buddies meant to them and the impact that it has had on their life. Towards the end of the ceremonies, chapters were being recognized for their outstanding work. 

To the surprise of everyone in the audience, myself included, the MBA Best Buddies Chapter won International Overall Outstanding Promoter Chapter of the Year. I will never forget walking on the stage and being handed the award in front of 2,500 people. What then followed was one of the best dance parties I have ever been a part of in my life. A cover band for N-Sync and Backstreet Boys played all the classics, and it was quite phenomenal. 

The next day, I got to sit through some wonderful speakers in the morning. We then went on to personalized classes for all the Best Buddies chapters in Tennessee. At the meeting we learned useful information about the kinds of events that work best and tips for encouraging buddies to come to events. 

Saturday night was based around a walk around the campus. We began in the auditorium where Anthony K. Shriver spoke and then we began our walk. We ended in this large quad where there was a stage set up and other tents. There was an open mic and a DJ, so everyone was getting down and boogieing. The night was ended with fireworks and pizza. 

Sunday was the last day of the conference, so things were starting to wrap up. We had more speakers from a TV show called "Born This Way" that morning then more workshops in the afternoon. That night was another party but started with buddies giving speeches that they had practiced all weekend. The speeches were very moving and tugged at the heartstrings. We then danced some more before the big dance party to end the Leadership Conference. 

I was very nervous going into this trip but by the end, I felt that is was one of the most fun things I have ever done. To be part of such a large community that cares so much for people with IDD is indescribable. I would go back in a heart-beat and would never trade it for anything. I would tell everyone to go just to experience it first hand because it is quite amazing. 

Best Buddies @ MBA

Over the next couple of weeks, the Service Club will be sharing special posts focused on our Best Buddies Chapter.  The best place to start is by sharing a video we submitted to Best Buddies International last spring to be considered for Outstanding Promotor Chapter of the year.  Enjoy taking a few minutes to watch!  Click here.

The Boys Are Back!

MBA officially began it's 152nd year on Monday, August 20, with 786 boys reporting to campus.  The start of school is an exciting and hectic time, filled with new possibilities and a brand new calendar of service opportunities!  Just in the first two weeks of school we have Activity Fair, two Service Club meetings, a bake sale, two afternoons at Preston Taylor Tutoring, a kick-off for the Best Buddies Friendship Walk and a Loaves & Fishes community meal.

We invite you to stay up-to-date with all of our activities by visiting the Service Club page on the MBA website @ www.montgomerybell.edu, then Programs ... Overview of Student Life ... Service Club or by clicking here.