{"id":2916,"date":"2024-12-11T11:34:26","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T16:34:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/?p=2916"},"modified":"2024-12-13T09:11:29","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T14:11:29","slug":"meet-fran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-fran\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Fran"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2916\" class=\"elementor elementor-2916\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-797da54 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"797da54\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cecbd0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2cecbd0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;opacity-tilt&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 2600 131.1\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M0 0L2600 0 2600 69.1 0 0z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" style=\"opacity:0.5\" d=\"M0 0L2600 0 2600 69.1 0 69.1z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" style=\"opacity:0.25\" d=\"M2600 0L0 0 0 130.1 2600 69.1z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-071de1f e-con-full e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"071de1f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20cd5a1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"20cd5a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Meet Fran<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8303cb4 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"8303cb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c596fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7c596fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Spotlight: Best Buddies Global Ambassador<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a212be e-con-full e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0a212be\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInDown&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d422df4 elementor-widget-mobile_extra__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d422df4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"271\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/meet-fran-300x271.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-2883\" alt=\"Fran at podium giving a speech\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/meet-fran-300x271.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/meet-fran.webp 489w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5182eee e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5182eee\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c64796c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c64796c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Meet Fran\u2014aka\u00a0&#8220;Flava Fran&#8221; Best Buddies Global Ambassador, Board Member, Jobs participant, and talented rapper. Click below to\u00a0learn more about her inspiring story.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-463137a elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"463137a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/J4p7bH53n-Q&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f63d4ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f63d4ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Fran\u2019s story is one of resilience, joy, and empowerment. As an autistic individual, she has faced significant challenges but has turned them into opportunities for personal growth and positive change. From surviving a difficult past to finding light in every situation, Fran is an extraordinary example of overcoming adversity with a bright outlook on life.\u00a0<\/p><p>Fran is an enthusiastic Global Ambassador for Best Buddies, using music and rap to spread positivity and inspire others. She performs uplifting raps at Best Buddies events across the country, sharing her message of love, light, and resilience. For Fran, Best Buddies is the ultimate &#8220;bright side.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p><p>In November, Jersey Mike\u2019s Subs featured Fran in a national commercial to support a Best Buddies giveback campaign. Thanks to the success of that weekend, Jersey Mike\u2019s made a generous\u00a0$1.32M\u00a0donation to Best Buddies to support the State Showdown. And that&#8217;s not all&#8230; from this donation, the top fundraising state will have their efforts matched, doubling the local impact!<\/p><p>Fran truly embodies the spirit of Best Buddies by showing us how to find joy in the small things and look on the bright side. She\u2019s a shining example of how the opportunities our programs provide transform the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.<\/p><p>Support Fran and the Best Buddies Leadership Program, where everyone\u2019s dreams can come true.\u00a0Spread love, light, and leadership opportunities today!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9d411d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b9d411d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cb86b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9cb86b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f01b43 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3f01b43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A matched rivalry in giving. <\/br>Support Best Buddies this holiday season.<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-162ed76 elementor-align-center elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"162ed76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/donate\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Support Your State<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa281ba elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"fa281ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7684989 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7684989\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-602a33a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"602a33a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Your Support Transforms Lives<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44d2d6a elementor-grid-tablet-1 elementor-grid-3 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-card-shadow-yes elementor-posts__hover-gradient elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"44d2d6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_masonry&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pagination_type&quot;:&quot;load_more_infinite_scroll&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_laptop&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;load_more_spinner&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;fas fa-spinner&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-3014 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-featured-best-buddies-participants\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-sandy\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"489\" height=\"441\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/sandy.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3010\" alt=\"Sandy with her two children\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/sandy.webp 489w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/sandy-300x271.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-sandy\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tMeet Sandy\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>A passionate a advocate and mother of two.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-sandy\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Meet Sandy\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-2992 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-featured-best-buddies-participants\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-andres\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"489\" height=\"441\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/Meet-Andres.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2996\" alt=\"Andres\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/Meet-Andres.webp 489w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/Meet-Andres-300x271.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-andres\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tMeet Andres\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>A Best Buddies Living resident and advocate for inclusion.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-andres\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Meet Andres\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-2916 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-featured-best-buddies-participants\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-fran\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"489\" height=\"441\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/meet-fran.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2883\" alt=\"Fran at podium giving a speech\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/meet-fran.webp 489w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/meet-fran-300x271.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-fran\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tMeet Fran\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>Best Buddies Global Ambassador, Board Member, Jobs participant, and talented rapper.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-fran\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Meet Fran\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-2850 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-featured-best-buddies-participants\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-lonnie\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"489\" height=\"441\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/Meet-lonnie-2.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2854\" alt=\"Lonnie with his parents in formal attire\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/Meet-lonnie-2.webp 489w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/Meet-lonnie-2-300x271.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-lonnie\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tMeet Lonnie\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>A Chicago native who works 20-30 hours a week in his dream job.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-lonnie\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Meet Lonnie\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-613 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-featured-best-buddies-participants\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-hunter-huff\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"489\" height=\"441\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/09\/Hunter-Huff.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-622\" alt=\"Hunter Huff\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/09\/Hunter-Huff.webp 489w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/09\/Hunter-Huff-300x271.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-hunter-huff\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tMeet Hunter Huff\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>My life before joining this organization was very challenging. It was hard for me to make friends.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-hunter-huff\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Meet Hunter Huff\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-341 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-featured-best-buddies-participants\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-josh-felder\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"489\" height=\"441\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/09\/Josh-Felder.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-428\" alt=\"Josh Felder\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/09\/Josh-Felder.webp 489w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/09\/Josh-Felder-300x271.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-josh-felder\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tMeet Josh Felder\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>I am showing the world that my Disability is actually my \u2018Superpower\u2019.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-josh-felder\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Meet Josh Felder\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More 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