From 'American Idol' to the Grand Ole Opry and the Esplanade
AYLA BROWN - A STAR STILL RISING
Singer to Perform for the 5th time at Buddy Walk & Family Festival
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A Rising Star...
It's no exaggeration to say that each year singer Ayla Brown comes to our Buddy Walk & Family Festival, she gets better.
Last year, at our 16th Annual Buddy Walk, she performed songs from an album about to be released and for the first time with a full band on a bigger, better soundstage.
This year will be her 5th for the MDSC. She comes to the 17th Annual Buddy Walk & Family Festival fresh off an appearance at the storied Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, a performance on July 4th before hundreds of thousands (with a backing band called the Boston Pops), and the release of her first video, for the song Pride in America.
REGISTER TODAY TO JOIN THE EXCITEMENT
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Photo by Michael Sparks Keegan
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... With an Impressive Resume...
Ayla's impressive resume is nothing new.
 Shortly after tasting stardom on the sixth season of American Idol, where she made it to the semi-finals in 2006, she pursued a collegiate basketball career at Boston College as a member of the Division I Eagles. As a sophomore, Brown led the team to a 21-12 record and went on to make the third round of the Women's National Invitational Tournament. For the season, Brown totaled 240 points with 7.3 points per game.
Since "Idol," she has recorded four albums, held the position of official National Anthem singer for the Philadelphia 76ers, and worked as a national news correspondent for The Early Show on CBS.
Shortly after the Buddy Walk last year, she released Heroes & Hometowns, an album of patriotic songs, including Pride in America, for which she just completed her first video (below)
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... Who Embodies the MDSC's Values!
And yet, what may be most remarkable about Ayla is her ability to keep her feet firmly on the ground. Even with her rising fame, she continues to donate her time to numerous charitable and patriotic causes.
That's why we are so thrilled to welcome her back for the 5th straight year at our Buddy Walk & Family Festival. Our signature event shows all of us what is possible; that with the support of family, friends, and the promise of a better future, people with Down syndrome can and should be included and given opportunities to lead fulfilling lives.
Ayla embodies these same values, and we hope you will come see that on display on Oct. 13.
JOIN THE CELEBRATION - REGISTER TODAY!
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Ayla Brown - Rednecks and Redsox Fans (2012 Buddy Walk)
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A 3-Mile Walk That's So Much More
At our annual Buddy Walk & Family Festival, each step around the beautiful 3-mile route gives hope to new families, provides critical support and resources for other families, teaches educators, policymakers and medical professionals how to best serve people with Down syndrome, and ultimately changes the lives of people with Down syndrome and those who love them.
October is National Down Syndrome Awareness, so there's no better time to promote acceptance and inclusion for the Down syndrome community than at our 16th Annual Buddy Walk & Family Picnic. Join the excitement and the celebration.
And don't forget, this year we launch our first-ever Buddy Walk & Harvest Fair in Central Mass. Read below for details.
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Nothing like Autumn in Central Mass!
1st Buddy Walk & Harvest Fair - Sept. 22, Uxbridge
Our first ever Buddy Walk & Harvest Fair in Central Massachusetts will be held September 22 at the beautiful River Bend Farm in Uxbridge. We expect to bring more than 500 individuals with Down syndrome, families, and friends together for an early autumn celebration.
We will have children's entertainment, games and refreshments, culminating with an early autumn 1-mile stroll around the grounds. Funds raised will support all MDSC programs advocating for full, meaningful lives for individuals with Down syndrome across the state.
REGISTER NOW!
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