{"id":2992,"date":"2024-12-20T16:27:05","date_gmt":"2024-12-20T21:27:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/?p=2992"},"modified":"2024-12-20T16:35:55","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T21:35:55","slug":"meet-andres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-andres\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Andres"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2992\" class=\"elementor elementor-2992\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f6b42d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7f6b42d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0f6c41 elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"e0f6c41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"page\" data-elementor-id=\"2993\" class=\"elementor elementor-2993\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25babbda e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"25babbda\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"meet\" 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-1bc67a92 e-con-full e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1bc67a92\" 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-7c8bcc37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7c8bcc37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"meet\" 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 Andres<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7198d76e elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"7198d76e\" 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-e0c5b4b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e0c5b4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"spotlight\" 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: A Best Buddies Living resident and advocate for inclusion.<\/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-37700547 e-con-full e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"37700547\" 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-499d444 elementor-widget-mobile_extra__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"499d444\" 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=\"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\" \/>\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-1ac42774 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1ac42774\" 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-4d101882 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4d101882\" 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 Andres\u00a0\u2014a Best Buddies Living resident and advocate for inclusion. See below to read his heartwarming story of finding a home.<\/p><p>After seven months on the waitlist, Andres moved into Best Buddies Living at Union Market in Washington, D.C., marking the beginning of an inspiring new chapter.<\/p><p>Andres\u2019s excitement was contagious. He shared every step of his journey on social media, keeping his friends and family updated on his life-changing move. From settling into his new home to making connections in his community, Andres has embraced every moment.\u00a0<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2997\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/Meet-Andres-1024x1024.gif\" alt=\"Photos of Andres\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/Meet-Andres-1024x1024.gif 1024w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/Meet-Andres-300x300.gif 300w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/Meet-Andres-150x150.gif 150w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/12\/Meet-Andres-768x768.gif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p><p>\u201cThings are going well at my new place,\u201d\u00a0Andres says.\u00a0\u201cHappiest I\u2019ve been in a while. I\u2019m only hoping I can make this my permanent home.\u201d\u00a0<\/p><p>Andres exemplifies the transformative impact of Best Buddies Living. It\u2019s not just about having a place to stay; it\u2019s about belonging to a community that celebrates inclusion, promotes independence, and empowers individuals with IDD.<\/p><p>Let\u2019s make this season even more meaningful by\u00a0providing\u00a0more living opportunities for people like Andres.<\/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-6d4ec772 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6d4ec772\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59523f94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"59523f94\" 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-3d29bbe8 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3d29bbe8\" 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-3ead7c74 elementor-align-center elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"3ead7c74\" 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-7570b622 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7570b622\" 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<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-506a8c4a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"506a8c4a\" 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-69028d9b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"69028d9b\" 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-7fec24c5 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=\"7fec24c5\" 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 fetchpriority=\"high\" 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-626 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-mia-and-maggie\/\" 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\/mia-and-maggie.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3027\" alt=\"mia and maggie\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/09\/mia-and-maggie.webp 489w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2024\/09\/mia-and-maggie-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-mia-and-maggie\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tMeet Mia &#038; Maggie\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>A friendship that&#8217;s more than just a bond.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/stateshowdown\/meet-mia-and-maggie\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Meet Mia &#038; Maggie\" 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. 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