Exceptional Stars Athletics recently held a “Best the Best Buddy You Can Be” training with longtime employees of The Resource Center, Terry Johnson and Beth Jermain. Submitted photo

Exceptional Stars Athletics held a training, “Be the Best Buddy You Can Be,” last Monday night for the “buddies” of the program.

“Our program has really taken off in the last year and a half,” said Rich Bianco, ESA organizer. “We felt like we needed to provide the kids with some more training to help them feel more comfortable and confident working with the athletes of our program. We had to bring in the experts.”

Terri Johnson and Beth Jermain, both longtime employees of The Resource Center, provided an hourlong training that included personal life experiences, videos and a question-and-answer period.

“Terri and Beth were fantastic. They gave our kids a lot of helpful insight and guidance,” Bianco said. “This is only going to make our program even better. A year and a half ago, we started with eight buddies at our first baseball game. Tonight, we trained 22 kids. We’re very proud of these kids and what they do for the athletes of ESA.”

For more information on ESA, call Bianco at 450-1329 or email exceptionalstarsathletics@gmail.com.