Vallyn is unapologetically herself! She is a radiant 13-year-old whose joy and strength light up every room she enters. She has Down Syndrome, but that’s just one part of her incredible story. Vallyn is full of love — for her family, friends, her school, her dogs and chickens, and for Jesus.

She has overcome many setbacks in her life, but remained resilient and positive through illness and surgeries. She handled her recent cervical fusion with grace and strength.

She’s an athlete who plays Unified Basketball and enjoys swimming, bowling and volleyball. Whether she’s reading a Dog Man book, singing her favorite songs, playing with her dolls, or telling jokes, Vallyn brings energy, humor, and heart to everything she does.

Vallyn is funny, tough, kind, clever, sweet, sassy, spectacular and so very loved. Her laughter is contagious and so is her smile. She reminds everyone around her what it means to live fully and love deeply.