-----

My name is Amanda Madsen. At age 19, I became pregnant by a man I thought loved me. I was wrong. He left as soon as he found out. I quickly learned loneliness.

While my friends were having a care-free life— I was raising a child, going to school and working. I wanted an education so my daughter could have a better life. I now realize that my parents, who I thought were so strict when I was young, were just looking out for me.

My advice to all teenage girls is... listen to your parents and be true to yourself.

Don't believe sex means love. It doesn't. Communication, support and honesty mean love. You have the POWER IN YOU to stand up for yourself and say "no".

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Briana Walker
My name is Briana Walker. Since I was little I had always wanted to be a dancer, but a car accident at age 23 left me paralyzed from the waist down. I wondered about my future. I later met a hip-hop dance pioneer who was also in a wheelchair. Using our wheel- chairs, we created one of the first-ever wheelchair hip hop dance teams. We have danced around the globe. We hope to change the way people see those of us in wheelchairs. Today I sky dive, surf, snow ski, wake board, bungee jump and compete in marathons and triathlons. I'm also an author, a speaker and will always continue to be... a dancer.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Jared Fogle
My name is Jared Fogle. Throughout my entire life, I have dealt with weight issues. While enrolled as a student at Indiana University, I tipped the scales at 425 pounds. After unsuccessfully attempting numerous diets, I decided that I had to find the power within myself to change. One day I went into a local Subway restaurant and grabbed a nutritional information brochure and learned that by reducing my calorie intake, I could loose weight. I began eating two Subway sandwiches each day. I was determined to take control of my life and respect myself enough to become a happy healthier person. After committing to this plan, I was able to lose 245 within a year's time.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Sarah Southerland
My name is Sarah Southerland. My fiance' William said he loved me, but quickly started telling me how to dress, how to style my hair, what to eat, and how to talk. Soon, I didn't look or act like myself at all. We got engaged and broke up nine times. The harder I tried to break up, the harder he tried to stay together. I never thought I'd be strong enough to free myself... but I did. Healing from this abusive relationship has been one of the hardest things I've ever done. I know now that I'm never truly alone—and that I have the power within myself to make my life and the lives of those around me... great.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Liddy Huntsman
My name is Liddy Huntsman. At age 8, I was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. Giving myself shots and taking my blood several times a day was very difficult both physically and emotionally. One day my mother and I put a diabetes care package together and delivered it to a boy in the hospital who also had diabetes. I told him, "It's really not that bad. You'll be okay." As I left his room, I felt light. I had just learned the power of service. I continued delivering care packages to other diabetic children and giving them emotional support. Eventually, the project grew so large that the National Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation adopted it as a national program called Bag of Hope.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Jake Short
My name is Jake Short. I'm 18 years old and I'm bipolar. I also have ADD. My whole life I've struggled with social phobias, severe anxiety and depression. I would run away, cut myself and threaten my family. I even tired to commit suicide. I have a great family, but they couldn't help me. So I began seeing a therapist and taking medication. I eventually started to feel better. I told my story to a group of Utah lawmakers and helped get an important mental health bill passed. Now I'm doing very well. I speak to lots of groups and hope I can help others come as far as I have.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Derek Parra
My name is Derek Parra. I grew up in a broken home in a San Bernadino California neighborhood. While in Junior High school I discovered roller skating. I loved it! Coaches at the local rink took notice and worked with me. Being financially challenged at times I ate discarded fast food to survive. With hard work and sheer determination, I eventually became a world champion roller skater. My dreams then turned to the Olympics. I started over to become an Ice Skater. Through many long, difficult years- and with the support of my team and my family, I went on to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. There, I broke the world record in the fifteen hundred -meter speed skating event and won the Gold Medal.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Dan Burleigh
My name is Dan Burleigh. After my parent's breakup I lived with my Dad in Payson Canyon. There was no running water no electricity and little food. I was alone and neglected. I ended up in State custody as a foster kid struggling to live a normal life. When I was kicked out of my first home I had only two garbage bags full of junk. I eventually ended up in a healthy, loving home. I put myself through high school and served an LDS mission. Today I'm married with two beautiful children. I have my bachelors in Psychology and am working toward graduate school. I've learned that no matter our circumstances you can be successful if you choose to-and if you never give up.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Andrei Kirilenko
My name is Andrei Kirilenko. I grew up in Russia. My family was very poor. We shared a small apartment with two other families. When the Soviet Union collapsed, my parents lost their jobs and eventually divorced. My entertainment was always basketball. I had a dream of playing in the NBA. I spent all my time in the gym working hard toward my goal. I stayed away of drugs and alcohol. I went pro at the age of fifteen and was earning enough money to support my family. I am blessed to be in the NBA and to now give back and make people here in Utah happy.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Curt Brinkman
My name is Curt Brinkman. At age 16 my dreams of playing professional basketball were shattered when I was electrocuted by 36,000 volts. Both of my legs were amputated. I also endured forty surgeries on my heart, kidney and hip. Despite these challenges I have emerged as one of the worlds greatest paralympic athletes—winning 8 medals. In 1980 I became the first wheelchair racer to win the Boston Marathon. At 50, I'm training for a cross country wheelchair trek. It's extremely important to have goals. I believe that Challenges are to be Conquered—and that the power is in YOU to conquer them!

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Becca Levie
My name is Becca Levie. I was born with five holes in my heart to an abusive drug-addicted mother. When I was eight years old, she abandoned my sisters and me in Mexico. That was thirty years ago. During that time I have come to believe that what you get out of life is completely up to you. Today I am Mrs. Utah U.S. Continental. I have a wonderful husband, four beautiful children and two successful businesses. I strive to share what I've learned through books and motivational talks. I know that we do not become great by chance-but by choice-and that everyone is born for greatness.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Allie Schneider
My name is Allie Schneider. I'm twenty years old and have Spina Bifida. Since I can't use my legs I use full leg braces and crutches. My disability made going to school difficult. It's also made having a social life kind of tough and sometimes people are uncomfortable around me.

But I haven't let physical barriers get in my way. There are a lot of things I'm able to do- I water ski, drive a car, bobsled and swim. I also volunteer at Primary Children's hospital and tutor at an Elementary school. I hope I can inspire others to be the best they can be and know anything is possible - just by trying.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Clifton Uckerman
My name is Clifton Uckerman. When I was five my parents divorced because of cocaine. My father was eventually shot and killed in a crack house. By age 12 I was in a gang, using and selling drugs. After being charged for aggravated assault, I was sent to a Youth Works program. There, thanks to supportive role models and mentors, I learned building and construction skills. Today I work at the Christmas box house helping abused, abandoned children, and I'm finishing my Bachelor's of Social Work. Remember, your success is our success. Make goals for yourself, and work towards them. You CAN turn your dreams into reality.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Melissa Nuntapreda
My name is Melissa Nuntapreda. When I was six my father was arrested, leaving my mom behind to raise five children on her own. She was uneducated and worked three low-paying jobs to provide for us. We slept on the floor and towels were our blankets. My older brother became involved with drugs. With tears in her eyes my mother would always tell us to "get an education."

I was determined to rise above my adversity and make her proud. I am proud to say that I am one of four I children currently attending college. I challenge you all to make a difference and get an education.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Eric Matthes
My name is Eric Matthes. There was a time in my life when I was not respected as a person. People said things that hurt me. They called me names because I have some disabilities.

I felt alone for a long time but then I closed my eyes and found the power in me. Now I encourage everyone to use People First Language. Rather than saying "He's a blind runner and he's really fast" I say instead, "He's a really fast runner. He also happens to be blind." Being respectful is important because people should be treated the way they want to be. As a whole person.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Timothy Morrise
My name is Timothy Morrise. I've been shoved into ockers, had my violin stolen and smashed to smithereen s and had a concussion but graphic violent death threats were the hardest to live with. When you're being called a crude name, or being physically harassed, it really hurt. When I couldn't take the bullying anymore, I changed schools. Now I have friends and my life is a lot better. You have the power in you to overcome bullying. You can choose to be kind - or be a friend. You have the power to make your journey better and the journeys of other people better along with you.

-----

Ambassador Life Story/ Bill Schuffenhauer
My name is Bill Schuffenhauer. I was born to a drug- addicted mother. I started using drugs as a small child and, to not go hungry, scavenged for food from restaurant dumpsters. In junior high I found a love for athletics and eventually went to Weber State University where I made the U.S. Junior national team as a decathlete and went on to compete in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and win a silver medal in the bobsled. I understand first-hand the dangers of substance abuse and poverty and work to inspire young people to rise above the pain and challenges of their lives.