Every day at Broomfield High, various students leave the cafeteria with uplifted hearts and grins from ear to ear. Students are overjoyed to be a part of Broomfield High School’s “Circle of Friends” program. The Eagles in Circle of Friends eat their lunch and talk with some of their best friends.

In 1999, Circle of Friends was founded at a high school in Santa Monica, California. The purpose was to promote inclusion of anyone with disabilities or difficulties. Today there are Circle of Friends organizations all over the world.

Tanner Garner and Spencer Beck’s story began when they formed an “unlikely friendship” at Aspen Creek Middle School. “Tanner was invited to a friendship group at Aspen Creek where he ended up meeting and becoming friends with Spencer,” said Tanner’s mom, Tammy Garner, a staff member at BHS. “It’s been nice here at Broomfield for the relationship to continue, but on an even bigger level I know that Tanner and Spencer enjoy that time together at lunch to play games, and, oh, how Spencer just loves that connect four.”

“That’s kind of how it evolved,” continued Mrs. Garner, “it started fairly small, through 6th, 7th and 8th grade, then continued to blossom.” Their friendship has been a gift to Tanner as much as it has been to Spencer.

Garner and Beck are both in the same grade and have gone to the same school since they were just 11 and 12 years old. The boys are now juniors in high school and enjoying every moment they have together. Tanner joined Circle of Friends to spend more time with Spencer, but little did Tanner know that the benefit of eating lunch with Spencer at least once a week would lead to such a life-changing experience. “Circle of Friends has made me more of a positive person, and it makes me happy to know that every time Spencer and I leave that cafeteria, our day is made, and we can’t wait for our next lunch together,” Tanner said about his Circle of Friends experiences with Spencer.

Garner and Beck’s close friendship has also brought Spencer closer to people he says he “couldn’t have ever been friends with.” Spencer is a football assistant and cheers on one of his best friends Tanner from the sidelines at every single game. Spencer said, “I like to hang out with my best friend Tanner and all the football guys; we’re all close.” Spencer could talk endlessly about his inseparable connection with Tanner and how much of a wonderful role model Tanner has become for him: “Tanner has taught me to be kind to everyone and to hang out with everyone, no matter who they are.”

“I hope this friendship lasts for a long time,” Tanner says about Spencer and their friendship. The duo can be seen all around Broomfield High School, walking to classes together, waiting for the bus to take them to the big football game, or even in the cafeteria eating lunch together. Wherever one is, you know the other is close by.