In fifth grade, Baum and her family went through something they would never forget.

When Baum was in only 5th grade, her grandpa had a stroke which caused him to become paralyzed in the entire left side of his body. As another side effect of the stroke, he also had trouble saying some words. After Baum’s grandpa became impaired, her grandma soon did as well.

“Then my grandma got like really sad and she kinda became like an alcoholic,” Baum said. “After that, she had a stroke, and she was like mentally unstable. They are both now at a nursing home. It was like, so sudden, and really sad for us, so we kinda like all knew what each other was going through, and were like super supportive.” She wanted to find a way to help out in her community with those with similar problems. Ashley is now (and still) a proud member of the Best Buddies program at her high school.

Even though Baum and her family were going through a tough time, they leaned on each other. Especially her and her older sister, Emily Baum, ’15. “My sister helped me a lot on that and if I needed her, I could just talk to her.”

“I think Ashley and I have a special relationship  because she is my only baby sister. I have also been through high school and understand the pressure and drama that can be placed on a young girl. I think that it is important to be able to talk to someone that wont judge you and support you no matter what it is. I want to be the person that she can open up to.”  Says Emily Baum.

Aside from being a support system to each other, they are both really close and have a lot in common. Baum mentions how she really admires the things Emily does, such as going on her mission trip to Haiti, and working with Best Buddies at West High.Ashley also works, along with her friend, in Best Buddies. “I like helping people, I’m in Best Buddies and I think that’s a good program. And dance marathon. I think it’s really cool how people can come together and just be there for each other.”

Ashley Baum ’22, values the time she spends working with best buddies. Her and Her friend, Niyati Vyas ’21, have had many pleasant experiences with the program throughout high school so far.

“My favorite memory with Ashley would probably be getting matched with Adrian, our buddy, last year. Just getting to know him at the matching party and hanging out was so fun.”      -Niyati Vyas ’21

Ashley also recalls another memory from the Best Buddies Program. “In the beginning of the year last year we went to the FCS room and we baked a cake. Me and my friend, Niyati, and our buddy, Adrian, we baked a cake and we frosted it and put sprinkles on it. It was really cool to see him happy and it was just fun to be there.”

Overall, Baum really thinks that working with Best Buddies has helped her come to ease with the traumatic family events from the past. “Best buddies helped me realize that you have to get to know people for who they are.”

If Baum has one piece of advice to help people get through tough times, she says “Lean on the people around you, like your family and friends, because those are ultimately the people that are gonna help you get through the hard times. And it sounds really cheesy, but it does get better.”