In addition to honoring people with Down syndrome with the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, Global Down Syndrome Foundation is proud to honor individuals with Down syndrome each year as official Ambassadors for the Foundation. Ambassadors and their families work hard to raise awareness for the Foundation's mission of significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education and advocacy. Each Ambassador graces the cover of our Be Beautiful Be Yourself gala invitation and writes his or her own personal story. The story is featured in the local press and as part of the invitation. The Ambassador is also featured in a special video our Foundation produces for the marquee fundraising event and depending on the Ambassador's age, the Ambassador participates as a model in the fashion show.
Ambassadors and their families continue to support the Foundation's work by representing the foundation at conferences and conventions, raising funds for programs and workshops, participating in press interviews, and advocating for equality and government support.
As an author, singer, actor and self-advocate, Marcus Sikora has already accomplished more in his life than most other 26-year-olds. Now he's gathering yet another accomplishment as the 2017 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Ambassador.
Read more about Marcus Sikora.
Louis "Louie" Rotella IV—the charming boy who inspired his dad to create the celebrated story of acceptance The Little King and His Marshmallow Kingdom he inspired an audience of 1,200 when he took to the runway as the 2016 Ambassador at Global's Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show.
Read more about Louis Rotella.
My name is Clarissa Joann Capuano. I am seven years old and live with my Mom & Dad. I have two older brothers Alec & Jesse who are both in college. I love to sing, dance, ride horses, swim, hike and play dress up.
Read more about Clarissa Capuano.
Steven brings to anyone who gets to know him Joy with a capital 'J,' He loves soccer and baseball and he's an expert at movies and loves music and dancing.
Read more about Steven Dulcie.
Read more about Katherine Felicia Norton.
My name is Cole Rodgers. I am 6 years old. I love music, school and peanut butter. My family is from Eastern Washington State, but most of the time, we live in Washington, D.C.
My name is Samantha Marcia Stevens, and I live just outside Boston with my mommy and daddy. Even though I'm only 6 years old, I've filled my life and the lives of everyone I meet with smiles and happiness.
My name is DeOndra Estell Dixon. I am 27 years old. I was born September 6, 1984 in Dallas, Texas. Today I live in Thousand Oaks, California, with my father, mother, brother and sister. I was born with Down syndrome. My father told me this was very tough for him.
My name is Alexander Gregory Sessions, I am 17 years old. I was born January 19, 1994 in Dallas, Texas. I was born with Down syndrome. My parents were very happy when I was born – my brother Bill was 4 and they always wanted two boys. They did not know much about Down syndrome, but soon started educating themselves to make sure they did all they could to help me reach my intellectual and physical potential.
My name is Katherine Vollbracht Winfield. I like sparkly lights and giggles. That is because I am only 15 months old! I live in Seattle with my mom, dad and big brother Kirby III. I surprised everyone by arriving 3 weeks early. And I had another big surprise – I was born with Down syndrome.
My name is Chase Turner Perry. I am three years old and I live in Colorado with my mama, dada and little brother Cooper. I have heard my parents tell the story of the day I was born many times. I was a big surprise. My parents did not know I was a boy and they did not know I had an extra chromosome.