Featured Profiles
Angelica Allsup and Madison Snipe
Friendship program – Colleges
Angelica Allsup and Madison Snipe’s friendship demonstrates the true power of the Best Buddies Friendship program. They have been best buddies for more than two years and love to spend time together shopping, watching movies, traveling, and competing in beauty pageants. Angelica is the National Miss Amazing 2016 — a pageant that celebrates and empowers girls and women with disabilities. Madison and Angelica are also fierce advocates of the Spread of the Word to End the Word campaign that works to eliminate the use of the hurtful R-word in society.
Brittany Hunt and Katherine Devine
Friendship program – Colleges
Brittany and Katherine are members of the Best Buddies College program at Western Kentucky University. They were matched in the Fall of 2012, but their connection dates back many years, as these two have attended the same church since childhood.
Brittany is a strong self-advocate, and an active member of the Bowling Green, Kentucky community.
John Foster and Patrick Saathoff
Friendship program – High Schools
John has been a part of Best Buddies since 2011. He is a part of the Bishop Moore School Friendships program. John loves Best Buddies and spending time with his buddy, Patrick. Patrick and John have been matched for the past three years that John has been a part of the chapter. Patrick and John spend quality time together outside of school at sporting events, going to lunch, and driving around town. There is a clear unconditional bond between the two boys. “Best Buddies has allowed the students to learn how to be honest in a friendship.
Bryan Link and Will Macon
Friendship program – Colleges
Will: “It was Sunday, September 26, 2010, and I met Bryan Link as we both waited in line for Jet’s Pizza at the Best Buddies Vanderbilt match party. Bryan was also new to Best Buddies, and he stood in line chatting with his parents while I stood alone in silence. Though many people would have ignored my presence, Bryan did the opposite –he turned to me directly and enthusiastically exclaimed “Hey! My name is Bryan Link! What’s your name?”
Katie Cortelyou and Tiffany Krauss
Friendship program – Citizens
Katie: “I first joined Best Buddies with the College program. As I was getting older, I knew that I would age out of the College program. I found that Best Buddies is the gift that just keeps on giving and they were not going to let me down. In 2014, the Citizens program came to Indiana and I was matched with an “adult” buddy, who is outstanding. Tiffany Krauss is more than I could ever have imagined and she should be the “role model” for all Citizens Buddies. Tiffany is showing me how to rise to meet every opportunity and to always reach for the stars.”
Matt Burns and Evan Parker
Friendship program – Citizens
Since being matched in our Colleges program in 2010, through Best Buddies Indiana, Matt Burns and Evan Parker have built a bond that goes beyond friendship. From the moment they met, Matt and Evan made a connection that not only led them to becoming the best of friends, but helping each other grow as individuals.
Eric Matthes
Friendship program – e-Buddies
Leadership Development program – Ambassadors
“Hi, I’m Eric Matthes, and I live in Seattle. I have Down syndrome and I’m a self-advocate. That means I like to stand up for myself and make responsible choices in my own life. I chose to celebrate friendship with you and Best Buddies! That is MY responsible choice!
When I was in kindergarten, I found out that I had a disability. I was called “RETARDED.”
Jack Mayor
Leadership Development program – Ambassadors
Hi Everyone. My name is Jack Mayor and I’m from Naperville, Illinois. Last year at this time, I was sitting in this auditorium, as you are now, nervous about what this weekend would be like. Especially, and specifically, because it was the first time I was away from my family.
I didn’t know at the time, but my life was about to dramatically change, once again, because of this organization.
Christina Hundley
Leadership Development program – Ambassadors
Hello, everyone! My name is Christina Hundley and I am a Best Buddies Global Ambassador and participant at the University of South Florida (USF). I gained my independence after joining Best Buddies, which helped me gain friends too.
I was born at Tampa General Hospital in 1983; I was raised by my aunt, BJ, in Florida after my parents dropped me off at my grandmother’s house and never came back. School was hard for me.
Kathryn Meade
Leadership Development program – Ambassadors
As former Best Buddies International Board of Directors member, Katie Meade has served as an Ambassador for the state of Iowa since its inception. She has worked full-time at the Polk Country Treasurers office in Des Moines as a mail clerk since her graduation from high school in 2002. Through her job and participation in Best Buddies, Katie has made many friends from all over the world and serves as an advocate for people with disabilities.
Katie has traveled around the world, speaking at Best Buddies Challenge events, Galas, and at the Best Buddies Leadership Conference; she was even invited to introduce U2 at the Special Olympics World Games! Katie has co-hosted with Ryan Seacrest, partied with Carlos Vives, and even charmed the Bachelor, Andy Baldwin. Over the years, Katie has proven that she is a powerful speaker who can motivate thousands with her energetic spirit and voice.
Daniel Noltemeyer
Leadership Development program – Ambassadors
“Best Buddies has helped me build my confidence as a leader and become and advocate for myself and others with disabilities. I have learned public speaking and leadership skills, and now I help teach public speaking and advocacy to people like me. It has been a powerful experience to be a leader for my peers. I have built my self-confidence, independence, and grown as a person. Best Buddies inspires me to be the best I can be and has made me the leader I am today.”
Charles Calhoun
Leadership Development program – Ambassadors
“My name is Charles Calhoun III, and I am a Best Buddies Global Ambassador. As a Best Buddies Global Ambassador, I have spoken in front of former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and traveled around the United States to speak at various national Best Buddies events. I am also employed with Silicon Valley Bank, and in my spare time, I love to play the drums, write songs and hang out with my friends. I am diagnosed with Williams syndrome, autism, and ADHD. Growing up, I remember the hurtful names people would call me, like retarded.”
Michael Dykman
Jobs program – Genentech
Michael Dykman is the embodiment of a courageous and successful Best Buddies Jobs participant in San Francisco. While working at a grocery store for 10 years, Michael joined Best Buddies Jobs to work towards his professional development. A few years ago, Michael said “I always wondered what I could do to get to the next level.” He had ambitious goals to achieve a full-time job with a competitive salary, maintain long-term employment and develop professional skills that would allow him to achieve his goals.
Untwon Jones
Jobs program – Natixis Global Asset Management
Meet Untwon, an Office Assistant at Natixis Global Asset Management. He is responsible for stocking the printers, cleaning and organizing conference rooms, and re-stocking supplies. He shows up to work early every day and completes all of his responsibilities in a timely manner. Just as importantly, Untwon has built a great relationship with his co-workers at Natixis and is a vital member of their team. He has had great success in his position with Natixis and truly shows what we are all capable of if given a chance to succeed.
Dudley Williams III
Jobs program – John Hancock
Dudley Williams III represents the epitome of a highly-successful Best Buddies Jobs participant here in Boston. After graduating from the Lesley University Threshold Program several years ago, Dudley joined Best Buddies Jobs to work toward his professional goals. Within a few short years, Dudley has become not only one of the strongest spokespersons for Best Buddies Jobs in Massachusetts, but has realized his own ultimate goal of having a full time job with benefits.
Billy O’Brien
Jobs program – Eaton Vance
Billy O’Brien began working with Best Buddies in September 2010 after being unemployed, and acquired a position working as an Office Services Assistant through the Best Buddies Jobs program with Eaton Vance Investment Managers in October 2010. Since starting at Eaton Vance, Billy has grown from working part-time (25 hours per week) to working full-time (40 hours per week). He also enjoys employee benefits including health insurance, a 401K and profit sharing. The progression that Billy has achieved at Eaton Vance has been extraordinary.
