Local girl from Frisco heads to Capitol Hill for nonprofit

March 1, 2023 | Island Features

Ellie Hedgepeth, a nine-old-year Frisco resident who is a third grader at Cape Hatteras Elementary School, has been selected as a youth ambassador to head to Washington and Capitol Hill starting March 6 to advocate on behalf of the Tourette Association of America.

Here is additional information from the Association.

The Tourette Association of America recently announced this year’s Junior Youth and Youth

Ambassador Program inductees—a group of children and teens that have been selected to participate in the Association’s Ambassador training program in Washington, D.C. These children and teens, both with and without Tourette Syndrome (TS) and related Tic Disorders, will share their personal stories and be coached on how to raise funds and advocate for public policies and services that promote positive school, work, and social environments for individuals affected by the disorder.

The Tourette Association of America recently announced this year’s Junior Youth and Youth

Ambassador Program inductees—a group of children and teens that have been selected to participate in the Association’s Ambassador training program in Washington, D.C. These children and teens, both with and without Tourette Syndrome (TS) and related Tic Disorders, will share their personal stories and be coached on how to raise funds and advocate for public policies and services that promote positive school, work, and social environments for individuals affected by the disorder.

Among this year’s Junior Youth Ambassadors is Ellie Hedgepeth, nine, from Frisco, North Carolina, who will complete a comprehensive training designed to equip Ambassadors with the tools they need to speak publicly about the often misunderstood disorder. Even though it’s estimated that 1 in 50 school-aged children in the United States has TS or a persistent Tic Disorder, the wide range of symptoms that include both motor and vocal tics can lead to bullying, isolation, and life-long learning or emotional issues.

The Tourette Association’s Junior Youth and Youth Ambassador Programs, which empowers youth to improve public speaking skills while spreading awareness and acceptance for TS, are a crucial part of the Association’s mission. Many Ambassadors leverage their training to meet with politicians, appear in the media, and assist with fundraising and awareness raising campaigns throughout the year.