Presented by:
Welcome Dear Friends, Thank you for joining us for the 2023 Best Buddies Champion of the Year Gala! We are excited to highlight our local Best Buddies programs, honor our Champions, and raise the necessary funds to continue reaching more Tennesseans with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Each year, the Gala provides a meaningful, unique, and downright fun opportunity for us to share about the work we’re doing with the people who made the work possible – you. Whether it’s your first Gala or fifteenth, you are moving our mission forward just by being here with us. We have a lot to celebrate this year, and we are eager to do so with you. With gratitude,
Will Macon State Director, Tennessee
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Event Planning Committee EVENT CO-CHAIRS Dara Mingus Ashley Walker COMMITTEE Angie Atema Jenn Hludzik Hannah-Catherine Lackey Gracie Thornhill Becca Sweredoski Jamel Wills
2022 Champion of the Year
JohnThomas Atema Last year, JohnThomas Atema raised a record-setting $98,513 for Best Buddies in Tennessee. JohnThomas finished in the Top 3 Champions nationwide, and we would not be where we are today without JohnThomas and his family’s support. Naturally, he was most excited to celebrate with his parents, Angie and Tom, and his little sister, Lily. JohnThomas essentially grew up with Best Buddies, and he has continued to establish himself as a leader in our organization. He consistently empowers others and makes our community a more inclusive place. JohnThomas has been a Chapter President and Best Buddies Global Ambassador, and we are excited to share that is now a freshman at the University of Tennessee, where he is a member of the Best Buddies chapter.
Champion Candidates
Blye Allen
Jaycie Bateman
Sean Brady
Sydney Buchanan
Lucy Carter
Abbey Coppenger
Steph DeSantis
Daniel Mirtes
Emily Raich
Natalie Schusterman
Maria Tarver
Mission Partners
Bryan Link
Evan Florek
Olivia DeCaria
Molly Carter
Walter Mabone
Maverick Mingus
Jay Weinberg
Juliann Cunningham
Becky Sullivan
Delaney Conklin
This Year's Entertainment Matt Rogers is returning as our host and auctioneer for the evening, and we’ll also enjoy special performances from Marlana VanHoose, Wesley Dean, and the 8 South Band! It’s Music City after all, right?
Beverage Partners
Photography Partner
Best Buddies in Tennessee 615-891-2046 | tennessee@bestbuddies.org BESTBUDDIES.ORG/TENNESSEE