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N o v e m b e r 1 5 - H o t e l A n d a lu z
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What Champion of the Year Is Champion of the Year is more than a gala — it is a movement of local leaders stepping forward to strengthen inclusion throughout New Mexico. Candidates compete not against each other, but for the greater good: expanding Best Buddies programs statewide. Each Candidate receives coaching, tools, and support from our staff and committee. At the end of the campaign, we crown our Champion of the Year at a celebration gala attended by business leaders, community advocates, families, and partners. This special night includes: A celebration of our Candidates and Buddy Pairs Fund-the-Mission (Bid from the Heart) Impact stories from across New Mexico The official crowning of the New Mexico Champion of the Year
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Meet Our Staff
Victoria Byrd State Director
Paco Reyes Director, State Operations & Programs
Roxanne Burgos Director, Jobs & Transitions
Martha Mondragon Lead, Program Manager, Community Engagement
Brett-Morgan Nielsen Program Manager
Lauri Davis Lead Program Manager, Transitions
Paloma Ortega-Hart Lead, Employment Consultant
Chaslyn Wenze Employment Consultant
Christina Clark Employment Consultant
2024 Champion of the Year
Michelle Roybal Michelle Roybal was named the 2024 Champion of the Year for Best Buddies New Mexico, marking a historic moment as our very first—and so far only—Champion candidate from Las Cruces. Alongside her campaign manager and mom, Sharon, Michelle raised an impressive $7,907 through unwavering dedication and heart. Deeply involved in her local Best Buddies community, Michelle participates in both the Citizens and NMSU chapters and even took the stage in our first-ever Best Buddies Talent Show in 2024. Michelle and Sharon truly embody what it means to drive the mission of inclusion forward, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support. Thank you, Michelle!
2025 Champion Candidates
Paige is one of our incredible Champion candidates from V. Sue Cleveland High School, where she serves as an advisor for the school chapter. This is her third year as a Champion candidate, and she continues to inspire us with her dedication! She’s also part of our Citizens program and a member of this year’s brand-new Ambassador Academy — talk about leadership in action!
This dynamic duo are the incredible chapter advisors at Collet Park Elementary, one of our model chapters for what Best Buddies looks like at the elementary level! They joined us at BBLC this summer and came back even more inspired to keep building inclusion. We’re so excited to have them as Champion candidates this year!
Paloma is our Lead Employment Consultant here at Best Buddies New Mexico, and she’s just about to celebrate her one-year anniversary with our team! With a strong background in the disability services field, Paloma brings compassion and expertise to everything she does — both in her work and as a Champion for inclusion.
Mary is one of our incredible teachers at West Mesa High School, where she helps make it possible for our Pre-ETS team to bring essential curriculum into the classroom. With over 20 years of teaching experienceand even a spot on a softball league, Mary’s dedication and energy truly embody the spirit of inclusion!
This amazing father–daughter pair are a true example of inclusion starting at home! Emily is one of the leaders of the Best Buddies chapter at V. Sue Cleveland High School and joined us at BBLC this summer. After seeing the impact the conference had on her, Martin wanted to get more involved — which inspired them both to step up as Champions!
Bid From the Heart The Value of Your Donation Best Buddies helps form meaningful friendships, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communications skills, all while feeling valued by society.
$1000 Fund an entire Ambassador Academy workshop—covering materials, meals, and staff support so participants can strengthen their public speaking, advocacy, and leadership skills. Fund materials and supplies for multiple community events—like Friendship Walk, Ambassador Trainings, and Inclusion Celebrations—that bring our participants, families, and supporters together. $500 Flight cost for a Buddy to attend the Leadership Conference at Indiana University Empower our Pre-ETS students by helping purchase hands-on materials for career exploration activities, workplace readiness lessons, self-advocacy skill-building exercises, and the tools that bring these lessons to life. $250 Cost to conduct one Ambassador training to encourage selfadvocacy and develop leadership skills, including public speaking The cost of a school chapter recruitment party $100 The cost to provide one-on-one customized coaching support per session for our Jobs participants and Project SEARCH interns
Special Thanks Black Creek Entertainment Brett-Morgan Nielsen Emcee Andrea Gutierrez Committee Board Chair Capture NM Selfie Booth Alex Becenti - @a1.moments Photographer
How to Bid Register: Text NMCOY25 to (76278) Donate: Text the word GIVE and amount (dollar sign not required) to (76278) *You can also bid in the silent auction once you’ve registered
Walk. Celebrate. Support.
04.19.26 11:30 AM | Albuquerque Academy The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (also known as IDD). BESTBUDDIESFRIENDSHIPWALK.ORG/NEWMEXICO
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Ann Rhoades Founder People Ink PeopleInk.com
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N o v e m b e r 1 5 - H o t e l A n d a lu z
Walk. Celebrate. Support.
04.19.26 11:30 AM | Albuquerque Academy The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (also known as IDD). BESTBUDDIESFRIENDSHIPWALK.ORG/NEWMEXICO
Join Best Buddies
bestbuddies.org/join
Best Buddies New Mexico 505-299-1459 | newmexico@bestbuddies.org MAKE A FRIEND | DONATE | VOLUNTEER To find your local Best Buddies office, visit:
bestbuddies.org