GLOBAL Down Syndrome Ambassadors

Hello! I am Zaya Rose, a fiery little 5-year-old who has already had a wealth of extraordinary experiences. On New Year’s Eve in 2018, while my parents were celebrating, I surprised everyone by arriving 4 weeks early during a big Colorado blizzard.

When I met my parents that early New Year’s morning, they didn’t know that I had an extra chromosome or that I had a problem with my tiny heart. Faced with breathing challenges, a purplish tint started to glow on my skin. I was swiftly placed on oxygen and transported by Flight for Life to Children’s Hospital Colorado in Denver. Despite the initial shock of learning I had an AVSD Canal Defect, Down syndrome, and some additional health challenges, my parents and I have defied expectations, embodying the true meaning of love, strength, and resilience.

Read more about Zaya Biel.

Hi, my name is Grace Brennan, and I am nine years old. I’m in the third grade and love walking to school with my two big sisters, Audrey & Ava. I’ve been included in the general education classroom at my neighborhood school since T-K, and I love to be in the same school as my sisters. You might even say I’m more popular at our school than they are!

Read more about Grace Brennan.

Hi, Micah Quinones here! I’m currently eight years old, and just started my second-grade year! My nickname is “chi” which is a short version of the word that describes me best – cheeky! My parents know fully just how much I love attention, and I will do just about anything to get it!

Read more about Micah Quinones.

Say hello to GLOBAL Ambassadors Archie and Sevy, two talented siblings adopted from Bulgaria who are part of the AMAZING Eicher family in Houston. Archie is an inspiring model, singer, and dancer, and Sevy is a world-renowned artist!

Read more about Archie and Sevy Eicher.

Hello, my name is Thomas Walter Snodgrass. I am 16 years old and a sophomore in high school. Everyone calls me “Walt.” That is appropriate because I love going to Walt Disney World.

Read more about Walt Snodgrass.

My name is Charlotte Fonfara-LaRose, but my friends call me Charley. I am a 16-year-old high school sophomore from Annapolis, Maryland! I have a sister Noelle and a big extended family!

Read more about Charlotte Fonfara-LaRose.

Anyone who knows Sam knows he is one-of-a-kind. He participates in GLOBAL’s Dare to Play Football Camps with Ed McCaffrey, he plays on the Cherry Creek High School Unified basketball, football, lacrosse and track teams. Sam loves being the center of attention, and the life of the party. He is always quick to make you laugh with a joke, or a snappy one liner, which is why he plans on pursuing a career as a stand-up comedian.

Read more about Sam Levin.

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.

My name is Katherine Felicia Norton. I am 43 years old, and I live in Washington, DC, where my mom, Eleanor Holmes Norton, represents the District of Columbia in Congress. I love to dance, do puzzles and perform in pantomimes at the Art and Drama Therapy Institute and show everyone how capable and fun I am.

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.

Read more about Cole.

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.

Read more about Samantha.

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.

Read more about DeOndra.

A loving tribute to GLOBAL Ambassador DeOndra Dixon

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.

Read more about Alex.

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.

Read more about Katherine.

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.

Read more about Chase.

My name is Sophia Kay Whitten. I am five years old and I live in Colorado with my mommy, daddy and my little brother Patrick.

Read more about Sophia.