More than 1,500 top high school and college student leaders from around the world will travel to Indiana University for the 17th Annual Best Buddies International Leadership Conference, July 21-24.
INCLUDED IN this group from Best Buddies Virginia are 24 students, among them Fareeha Khan from Centreville and Alissa Beight from Fairfax, both students at Chantilly High School.
Fareeha Khan, 17, is the daughter of Mushtaq and Seema Khan of Fair Lakes Chase. A rising senior, she is a staff writer for the Purple Tide, involved with Interact Club, volunteers for Facets, STEP tutoring, Peer Helping, and is the Andromeda arts editor.
Alissa Beight, 17, is the daughter of Kathleen and James Beight of Fair Oaks. A rising senior, she is involved in National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, STEP tutoring and Peer Helping.
Anthony Kennedy Shriver, founder of Best Buddies International, will host the conference along with many special guest speakers.
Khan and Beight, members of Chantilly High School Best Buddies, have already demonstrated their leadership abilities in recruiting a large chapter, creating meaningful matches between members, and participating in group events. At the Leadership Conference, they will be given an opportunity to further enhance their knowledge and leadership skills for the good of Chantilly High Best Buddies and the community.
During the seminars and workshops at the conference, topics such as how to build a successful chapter, recruitment, communication, and fund-raising will be discussed by invited guests and Best Buddies staff. Dale G. Rainville, community and education relations for The Boeing Company has been invited to the conference as a guest of Best Buddies Virginia. He will sit with Best Buddies Virginia students Friday evening at the welcoming ceremony and then address college students on Saturday.
One of the highlights during the conference is a musical performance by Brittney Maier, a 17-year-old pianist and composer. Maier, autistic and blind, leads through her musical talent — she can remember over 17,000 songs by heart and recently released her first album, 20/20.