On September 24, student leaders and advisors from all over Los Angeles and Orange County joined together at Millikan High School in Long Beach for a local leadership training day and a celebration of Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s (EKS) legacy.  Students participated in a variety of workshops, not only fine tuning their knowledge of our Best Buddies programs, but also spending time learning about the history of the disability rights movement and the impact of programs like Special Olympics and people like Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

On September 24, student leaders and advisors from all over Los Angeles and Orange County joined together at Millikan High School in Long Beach for a local leadership training day and a celebration of Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s (EKS) legacy.  Students participated in a variety of workshops, not only fine tuning their knowledge of our Best Buddies programs, but also spending time learning about the history of the disability rights movement and the impact of programs like Special Olympics and people like Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Of course, with Best Buddies participants, it is never all work and no play.  Halfway through the training day, Jeanine Mason, last year’s winner of the popular television show “So You Think You Can Dance,” joined the student leaders and lead a 45-minute dance lesson to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.”  Students with and without disabilities had fun learning the simple dance moves and gained excitement for Best Buddies California’s upcoming “Flash Mob”- which will be held on Saturday, October 15.  The purpose of the flash mob is to hold an inclusive event that spreads awareness about the Best Buddies program and exemplifies its mission of social inclusion. 

Honoring Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s legacy, students from around the world celebrated her commitment to people with intellectual disabilities.  Students in California enjoyed celebrating EKS Day in this unique way, while Best Buddies participants in Chicago went out on an early morning to cheer on The Chicago Marathon runners.  Local trainings were also held in Arizona, Wisconsin and several other areas of the nation.  The goal of this day of awareness is to spread Eunice’s spirit, inspiration and overall impact with local communities and to volunteer services to other groups in need. For more information or to see the many acts of unity and acceptance that were performed around the world, please visit www.eksday.org.