More Than a Match: Leadership, Laughter, and Lifelong Friendship – Keli Petersen & Jace Jahraus
Keli Petersen (left of picture) has been a part of Best Buddies for 9 years. Jace Jahraus (right of picture) has been with Best Buddies for three years and is currently the Chapter President at the University of Iowa Best Buddies program. Keli wanted to join Best Buddies because she wanted to make new friends and have fun. Keli has learned so much throughout her many years in the club and is advocate for attending Best Buddies Leadership Conference in the summer in Indiana. Jace joined Best Buddies due to growing up with an aunt that has an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) was her main motivation for joining.
This match has completed many achievements while being apart of Best Buddies, Keli has become the Buddy Director of the program. This position communicates with all chapter members, sharing program goals and ideas, while also helping to manage overall chapter success. Jace has been the Chapter President for the last two years. The Chapter President oversees and manages the chapter by working with the officer team to plan and execute fun and inclusive events and activities throughout the whole school year.
Keli and Jace have many found memories of being in Best Buddies. Jace’s most memorable moment was attending Best Buddies Leadership Conference in 2025.
“Going to BBLC was so motivating to know I’m apart of such a great nationwide organization that brings e everyone together. I also had the pleasure of going with Keli and we had the best time together!” Jace shared.
Keli agrees and says her favorite memory was also attending that conference that she gets to go every year!
Keli’s message that she would like to share with others in the community about the importance of inclusion and friendships is that no one should be left out and that she works very hard to be inclusive.
“Just be nice.” Keli shared.
Jace’s message that she would like to share about the importance of inclusion and friendship is that inclusion is so beyond important in everything that people do and it truly not that hard to keep in mind.
“Everyone is on their own path so try your hardest to meet people where they are.” Jace said.
