A J-D Middle School student was recently selected to serve as the 2021 Greater New York State Chapter Youth Ambassador for the Tourette Association of America.
Sixth-grade student Sam Vander Molen applied for the position in which he will represent the Tourette Syndrome community while raising awareness through Youth Ambassador Program activities.
“Sam is a bright, delightful young man, and we are thrilled and honored to add him to our group of Youth Ambassadors,” said Susan Conners, president of the Tourette Association of America Greater New York State Chapter. “We welcome Sam to our group and look forward to all of the good work he will do for our chapter.”
Sam will participate in two virtual training sessions to prepare for his role and will also participate in National Advocacy Day, which will be held virtually on March 3, when he and youth ambassadors from across the country will meet remotely with their state senators and representatives to advocate for issues that affect both children and adults with Tourette Syndrome.
“When I am given a task or challenge, I work hard to complete it successfully, and I have great support from my family and my teachers,” Sam said. “As a Youth Ambassador, I expect to get better at public speaking. I know I will also get to meet new people, including other kids with TS so I will have the opportunity to make new friends and share experiences.”
Sam will also participate in such chapter activities as speaking on a panel and helping with chapter conferences, events and activities. He will also join New York youth ambassadors from past years in doing presentations for classmates of students diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome so that they may better understand the disorder.
“I would like to inform other people about TS so that they have accurate information about how it impacts people and so that they don’t assume that kids with TS are less than others,” he said.