Las Vegas, NV, Jan. 19, 2024 — Madison Evans and Skyler Chrestensen have taken the saying, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” to heart.

The duo first met through Best Buddies at Liberty High School in 2015, and the connection between the then-high schoolers was instant.

“Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the beautiful evolution of my friend,” Evans said. “It has been amazing to watch her navigate challenges, embrace opportunities and blossom into the incredible person she is today.”

After high school graduation, Evans and Chrestensen both remained in the Las Vegas area and decided to join the Las Vegas Citizens program, where the two have remained in a one-to-one friendship since 2020.

“Thanks to Best Buddies, I found my one in a million buddy,” Chrestensen, who has an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD), said. “I am forever grateful that she accepts me for being me!”

Like Evans and Chrestensen have since high school, their friendship has grown and matured. Where they once enjoyed playing board games and baking, they now enjoy shopping and doing art projects together. And yet, they still revisit those old activities once in a while.

“Our favorite thing to do together is to celebrate our birthdays and do the fun things in Las Vegas like Top Golf and music concerts,” Chrestensen said.

Evans and Chrestensen have been fantastic representatives of Best Buddies in Nevada. In 2021, Chrestensen participated in Nevada’s Champion of the Year Gala. That same year, she was selected to be a Best Buddies State Ambassador for Nevada, where she has spoken about her journey with Best Buddies at events around the state. Evans and Chrestensen were highlighted at Nevada’s Best Buddies Friendship Walk in 2023, where they talked about their friendship.

“Their friendship knows no boundaries,” Michele Vogan, the deputy director of programs and operations for Best Buddies in Nevada, said. “Madison and Skyler’s relationship is a testament to the enduring power of understanding, kindness and genuine connection.”

The Nevada Citizens program is currently looking for new participants with and without IDD. Click here to learn about how the Best Buddies Friendship program has fostered friendships like Madison and Skyler’s.

About Best Buddies
Best Buddies^® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ 11 formal programs — Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, Transitions and Inclusive Living— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 49 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly one million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Media Inquiries
Jacob Pasternack
Manager of Marketing and Communications
JacobPasternack@BestBuddies.org