Bold. Passionate. Me.

I'm a 25-year-old North Carolina native. I recently moved into an apartment with my younger brother in Apex, NC. I also have Down syndrome.

 

​I graduated from Holly Springs High School in June 2017 with an Occupational Course of Study diploma. In May 2019, I completed Project Search, an internship-based educational program at Wake Technical Community College.

 

I currently work at Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits and 321 Coffee. I’ve worked at Chick-Fil-A, Fuquay Revolution Volleyball, and at a local movie theater. During the summers of 2018 & 2021, I worked in the NC Legislature for State Representative John Bradford.

 

I also believe that serving my community is important, so I volunteered at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh for 6 years, with Wake County Public Schools as a volleyball manager for 11 seasons, and with the Wake County SPCA for 2 years. I'm currently volunteering at 321 Coffee and at GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center in Raleigh.

 

I am passionate about raising awareness of Down syndrome, as well as all other intellectual and developmental disabilities. I've attended several workshops on advocacy, met personally with North Carolina Governors McCrory and Cooper, and I'm friends with the Mayor of Holly Springs, NC. In the summer of 2018, I spent the day with NC Lt. Governor Dan Forest.

 

I love to speak to groups large and small, about a variety of topics. My previous talks have been Living with an Extra Chromosome; Having a Disability in the Workforce; The Importance of Volunteering; and Advocating for Myself and Others with Disabilities. So far, my two favorite speaking engagements have been when I presented at the 2018 National Down Syndrome Congress annual conference about My Experience as a North Carolina Legislative Intern, and speaking to all the Wake County Public Schools special education teachers and administrators (over 1000 people!) about Your Role in Your Students’ Success.  I've spoken to public school classes in both Wake County and Durham Public Schools about Thriving with Down Syndrome.

 

Most notably, in December 2019, I gave a TEDx talk! And recently, I was interviewed by Anthony Padilla for his I Spent the Day With… series on YouTube.

 

I am a dynamic and passionate speaker, and I would love the opportunity to speak to your group too! Please check out my YouTube channel (link is below) to see me in action.