by ANNE HOPTON-JONES
Lead Program Manager | Best Buddies Texas
Buddy Director Ainsley Spencer is a shining star in the Deer Park High School chapter. She exudes personality and her vibrant spirit is contagious.
During her time in Best Buddies, Ainsley has blossomed as an exemplary Buddy and student leader. It is hard to imagine the last three years of DPHS Best Buddies without Ainsley. However, the path to Best Buddies was filled with plenty of obstacles.
Ainsley and her family happily resided in New Orleans, LA until Hurricane Katrina swept through the city, leaving the Spencers desperate for a new location to call home. Before moving to Houston, Ainsley attended a private Catholic school that catered to the needs of children with developmental disabilities. Naturally, Ainsley’s parents were hesitant to send her to public school in Houston.
Friends urged the Spencers to consider Deer Park High School as an option. Ainsley took one look at the public high school atmosphere and fell in love!
After witnessing the drastic changes in a “post-Katrina” New Orleans, the Spencers’ temporary stay in Houston turned permanent.
Ainsley’s parents were thrilled with the idea of Best Buddies. Ainsley joined during her sophomore year and is currently in her fourth year in the program. She was an essential element in Best Buddies last year, as her Peer Buddy, Chapter President Haley Florrow, strived to rebuild the chapter.
The mission was successful and the DPHS chapter is currently one of the strongest in Texas. Brenda Spencer proudly affirms that because of Best Buddies, her daughter was able to participate in things she “never dreamed possible and to do them with confidence, joy and pride in herself!”
In September of 2009, over 100 DPHS students attended the Best Buddies interest meeting, ensuring that all the Buddies at DPHS would have a Best Buddy this year! Ainsley proudly spoke about the importance of Best Buddies and challenged each student to become dedicated participants. Ainsley is an asset to the Deer Park High School chapter and will forever be an advocate for the Best Buddies mission of friendship.
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