{"id":190698,"date":"2025-08-05T14:40:03","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T18:40:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?p=190698"},"modified":"2025-08-05T14:40:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T18:40:03","slug":"katelyn-mckivergan-selected-to-speak-at-bblc-closing-ceremonies-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/newhampshire\/little-harbour-wins-2025-outstanding-chapter-award","title":{"rendered":"Little Harbour Wins 2025 Outstanding Chapter Award"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”190699″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text css=””]PORTSMOUTH, NH \u2013 AUGUST 4, 2025 \u2013 <\/strong>From July 18\u201321, 2025, more than 2,500 student leaders, volunteers, and advocates from around the world gathered at Indiana University <\/strong>for the annual Best Buddies International Leadership Conference<\/strong>. During the event, the Best Buddies chapter at Little Harbour Elementary School in Portsmouth was honored with the 2025 Overall Outstanding Chapter Award, recognizing their exceptional efforts in fostering inclusion and friendship for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Selected from among hundreds of Best Buddies elementary school programs globally, Little Harbour stood out for its dedication and impact.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s conference theme, \u201cWickedly Inclusive,\u201d infused the weekend with bold, magical energy celebrating leadership, connection, and the power of inclusive communities. The conference celebrated the incredible impact volunteers with and without IDD have made in the world as a result of their leadership. Attendees received lessons from global leaders in the disability rights movement; watched inspiring performances; witnessed moving testimonies; and attended compelling and empowering leadership sessions.<\/p>\n

Best Buddies International <\/strong><\/a>is a groundbreaking nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).<\/p>\n

The Best Buddies chapter at Little Harbour, which has 30 participants, was started in 2021 and is led by staff advisors Kristen Heath, Nicole Fragala, and Britt SantaMaria. Best Buddies New Hampshire currently operates 40 chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges statewide.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are beyond proud of the students and advisors at Little Harbour Elementary for leading with such compassion, creativity, and dedication to inclusion,\u201d <\/strong>said Sarra Dennehy, State Director of Best Buddies New Hampshire. \u201cBeing named the Overall Outstanding Chapter is an incredible achievement, but even more inspiring is the way these young leaders are changing their school culture and setting an example for the entire community. They are proof that when we empower students to lead with kindness, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mackenzie Whittet, Lead Program Manager of Best Buddies New Hampshire, added: \u201cThis national recognition reflects the heart and dedication Kristen, Britt, and Nicole bring to their chapter. Their commitment to building real friendships and creating a truly inclusive school community at Little Harbour is so inspiring. It\u2019s been an honor to support them and see the impact they\u2019re making.\u201d <\/strong>Whittet, along with Area Director Sarah Brais, will deliver this well-deserved award this fall and celebrate with the chapter.<\/p>\n

The conference featured an exciting lineup of special guests who shared their talent, stories, and commitment to inclusion:<\/p>\n