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Best Buddies program highlight: Ambassadors

Best Buddies Ambassadors is one of Best Buddies programs that allows people with disabilities to be leaders in their schools and communities. Many states such as Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Wisconsin and Texas have Ambassador boards. They lead trainings about speech writing, self-advocacy and getting fit.  Ambassadors have the opportunity to attend the Best Buddies International Leadership Conference and participate in the Ambassador training tracks- Individual speaking and buddy pair speaking! 
Below are a few highlights of exceptional Buddy Ambassadors:
Wayne Reed from Best Buddies Maryland speaks on stage during Leadership Conference 2013

 Buddy Ambassador Wayne Reed from Best Buddies Maryland has gone on a public speaking circuit. Wayne first spoke during Leadership Conference 2013. He shared a powerful speech about how having autism makes him feel awesome and how Best Buddies changed his life. He spoke during the Audi Best Buddies Challenge Washington, DC! He is involved in John's Hopkins University Best Buddies chapter as the Buddy Director.  

 Check out Wayne's Buddy Ambassador speech from LC 2013: Wayne Reed from Best Buddies Maryland's LC 2013 speech!

Alyssa Bacher from the College of Charleston Best Buddies chapter speaks about how Best Buddies changed her life

Alyssa Bacher comes from the College of Charleston Best Buddies chapter in South Carolina. The College of Charleston Best Buddies chapter is an expansion chapter meaning that there is no state office in South Carolina. Expansion chapters are managed by Best Buddies International staff members like Katie Brydon and Michael Pearson. The College of Charleston Best Buddies chapter, where Alyssa comes from, was honored as an Outstanding Chapter during Leadership Conference 2014.  The chapter was led by Rachel Spivey, who I  met during Leadership Conference a few years ago. Rachel and I keep in touch and same with Alyssa.

Alyssa first gave her speech during Leadership Conference 2013 and he speech cultivated everyone in attendance. Check out Alyssa's speech here: Alyssa Bacher's Best Buddies speech!

Buddy Ambassador Daniel Noltemeyer hugs Best Buddies founder and chairman Anthony Kennedy Shriver when Daniel received the BBI Spirit of Courage award

Daniel Noltemeyer from Best Buddies Kentucky is the ultimate definition of a Best Buddies success story. Daniel founded Best Buddies Kentucky a few years ago with the help of his brother Patrick. To this day, Daniel works hard to keep Best Buddies programs thriving in Kentucky. Daniel serves on Best Buddies Kentucky's Advisory Board.  He raised over $1,000 for Best Buddies Kentucky's Friendship Walk in 2014. He was the the events Top Individual Fundraiser.

Daniel has spoken about Best Buddies has changed his life during the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle 2009  and Dallas Gala 2009. He recently shared his powerful speech during the Best Buddies International Staff Leadership Conference. Daniel has won numerous awards for his work with Best Buddies. In July 2013, Daniel was named Best Buddies International's Spirit of Courage award recipient. He spoke about how Best Buddies impacted his life and how Anthony Kennedy Shriver is his hero. Last year Daniel won the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award for his work with Best Buddies as a Buddy Ambassador. He bested his fellow finalists to win a $1,000 grant for Best Buddies Kentucky.  Check out this moving story about Daniel's homecoming: Heartwarming Homecoming for a Kentucky hero!



















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