Gabriella Dominguez, also known to her friends as Gaby, is the President of the Best Buddies chapter at Virginia Commonwealth University.

“Inclusion is a core value in my life,” Gaby shared, “as I have always advocated for equality and equity, even as a child.”

Gaby has been a part of Best Buddies since middle school, serving as the Vice President at Rachel Carson Middle School in Herndon, VA from 2013–2015, and continued her involvement throughout high school at Bishop O’Connell.

“As my high school had an inclusion program for students with IDD, watching the beauty of the program in action proved how dire it is for people to have an inclusive community,” she shared.

“Additionally, as someone who is going into the realm of Psychology, learning from a scientific standpoint how truly important inclusion is, allows me to utilize my personal experience in conjunction with my career-driven motives to help better the world.”

Gaby moved to VCU and started her school’s Best Buddies chapter in 2023. Although she’s now studying in Richmond, she continues to stay connected with her high school Buddy and other Best Buddies friends from earlier years.

Looking ahead, Gaby and the VCU Best Buddies chapter have exciting plans for the upcoming school year, including fun music-oriented and dance events.

“I hope to expand our Best Buddies family to students and other community members who may not have been involved prior, especially with the increase of the student population at VCU,” Gaby shared.

Her advice to anyone starting a Best Buddies chapter for the first time: stay present.

“There can be a whirlwind of anxieties in an attempt to complete every necessary step, yet it will always fall into place how it’s supposed to! Your chapter is to be tailored to your specific school and community, so be creative, communicative, and unconditionally supportive. No matter how you approach the process, anyone involved will simply be grateful for your action, awareness, compassion, and patience!”

Are you interested in starting a Best Buddies chapter at your school? Email GraceKillius@bestbuddies.org.