Weber’s Weaver example of compassion; volleyball roundup
Whitney Weaver (4), captain of the Weber Warriors volleyball team, dives to save the ball in the opening game against the Northridge Knights at Weber High School in Pleasant View on September 15, 2015.
Whitney Weaver (4), captain of the Weber Warriors volleyball team, bends to dig out the ball in the opening game against the Northridge Knights at Weber High School in Pleasant View on September 15, 2015.
Whitney Weaver (4), captain of the Weber Warriors volleyball team, bends to dig out the ball in the opening game against the Northridge Knights at Weber High School in Pleasant View on September 15, 2015.
Whitney Weaver (4), captain of the Weber Warriors volleyball team, bends to dig out the ball in the opening game against the Northridge Knights at Weber High School in Pleasant View on September 15, 2015.
Whitney Weaver (4), captain of the Weber Warriors volleyball team, sets up to serve the ball in the opening game against the Northridge Knights at Weber High School in Pleasant View on September 15, 2015.
PLEASANT VIEW — Between school, volleyball and trying to maintain a social life, Weber High senior Whitney Weaver is clearly a very busy individual.
She’ll never be too busy for the activity she enjoys the most, however.
Weaver is the president of the Weber High chapter of ‘Best Buddies,’ which according to the organization’s web site aims to “establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-on-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Those with disabilities are called “buddies” and are paired with students at the high school. Buddies and students hang out at least twice a month and have at least four other contacts (texting, saying hello at school, etc.). There’s also one big activity each month.
There are 15 chapters in Utah, 12 of which can be found at high schools. Weber High is the only high school in Weber County to have a chapter.
“I just love it,” Weaver said. “I just think [the buddies] are so special… whenever I’m around them, I’m just so happy.”
Weaver’s buddy is a 16-year-old junior at Weber High named Hunter. Weaver and Hunter have gone to Jazz games, football games and soccer games. They’ve gone on hayrides and seen a number of movies together.
Weaver understands the challenges special needs kids can sometimes face making friends and thinks that there’s no reason for that to be the case.
“They deserve to have friends,” Weaver said. “I would want friends.”
According to Weaver, joining ‘Best Buddies’ simply comes down to desire.
“People are always telling me, ‘I’m so busy, I can’t join ‘Best Buddies.’ I do this and this and this.’ … If you want to do it and it’s a priority then you can,” Weaver said.
Weaver plans on majoring in special education and her goal is to one day be a preschool special education teacher.
Weber volleyball coach Melanie Harris has seen Weaver’s compassion bleed over onto the volleyball court.
“She’s supportive of our team,” Harris said. “She’s one of our captains, and she just really carries over that whole support and treats everybody like they’re amazing. She is so great, one of the best captains I’ve had.”
NORTHRIDGE 3, WEBER 0: At Pleasant View, Northridge dispatched of Weber in three sets Tuesday.
Northridge won 25-17, 25-18, 25-18.
Renae Davis led Weber with seven kills while Sarah Harris totaled 25 assists for the Warriors.
CLEARFIELD 3, MOUNTAIN CREST 1: At Clearfield, Clearfield and Mountain Crest were separated by just two points in each set Tuesday but in the end the Falcons came away with the victory at Clearfield.
Clearfield won 26-24, 25-27, 25-23, 31-29.
Sophomore outside hitter Breanne Bitter recorded the first double-double of her career with 15 kills and 10 digs, while Kiersten Banks and Catey Petrolia each finished with 10 kills for Clearfield.
Lucy Evans totaled 17 digs, six kills and the match-clinching block.
ST. JOSEPH 3, MERIT ACADEMY 0: At Ogden, Kathleen Tomon came up a kill shy of a double-double (nine kills, 12 assists) and St. Joseph dominated Merit Academy in three sets Tuesday.
St. Joseph won 25-11, 25-17, 25-11.
Paige Leland finished with eight kills and six digs while Natalie Williams totaled five kills, 11 digs and three aces for St. Joseph.
DAVIS 3, WEST 0: At Kaysville, Davis easily dispatched of West in three sets Tuesday.
Davis won 25-15, 25-18, 25-11.
HIGHLAND 3, BONNEVILLE 2: At Washington Terrace, Highland came from behind to earn a five-set victory over Bonneville Tuesday.
Bonneville won two of the first three sets before Highland rallied with a 25-23 victory in the fourth and a 15-4 victory in the fifth.
Bonneville dismantled Highland 25-9 in the first set and won the third set 25-21. Highland won the second set 25-20.
Sydney Sorenson finished with 18 kills, Sam Filiaga tallied nine kills and 10 blocks and Brooklyn Porter totaled 43 assists for Bonneville.
LAYTON 3, GRANGER 0: Layton punished Granger in three sets Tuesday at Layton.
Layton won 25-8, 25-10, 25-6.
SKY VIEW 3, ROY 0: Visitor Sky View had no trouble sweeping Roy Tuesday.
Sky View won 25-8, 25-8, 25-14.
A pair of juniors led the Bobcats in kills. Abby Harper and Averee Knowles each finished with seven.
BOUNTIFUL 3, OGDEN 0: Bountiful dispatched of Ogden in three sets Tuesday at Bountiful.
Bountiful won 25-14, 25-22, 25-11.
Ali Gustafson led Ogden with six kills and also totaled 12 digs. Hailey Christensen finished with 16 assists for the Tigers.
LAYTON CHRISTIAN 3, ROCKWELL 0: At Layton, Felicia Marshall totaled 11 kills and three blocks and Adrienn Olsen finished with 14 assists to lead Layton Christian to a sweep of Rockwell Tuesday.
Layton Christian won 25-9, 25-7, 25-9.
Hannah Perry served four aces for the Eagles.
Contact Standard-Examiner sports reporter Ryan Comer at rcomer@standard.net. Follow him on Twitter at @RyanComerSe and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RyanComerSe
