The Chapter’s Youth Ambassadors this year are:

Camerin Figueroa, a 9th grader at Pine Bush High School. He likes learning about computers, hiking, biking and kayaking. Camerin became a Youth Ambassador in March of 2013 because he has been bullied in the past for having Tourette Syndrome and wanted to help prevent other kids with TS from being bullied. He also wants to be a great role model for younger kids with TS and to show that having Tourette’s isn’t a bad thing for someone to have.

Julia Gottlieb, an 8th grader at Briarcliff Middle School. She plays the baritone horn, is an active member of Girl Scouts, and enjoys playing tennis. She became a Youth Ambassador in April of 2012. Julia likes that her presentations show kids and adults that having Tourette Syndrome is nothing to be embarrassed about. She believes that the more people are educated about TS the more understanding they will have for all kids that are different.

Jack Klion, a freshman at Edgemont High School. He became a Youth Ambassador in March of 2013. As part of his training in Washington D.C., he lobbied Congress to continue to fund the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to conduct research about Tourette Syndrome. Since March, Jack has presented to children and teenagers both in and outside of his school district. When not in school, Jack spends much of his time playing hockey. So far his hockey tournaments have taken him as far away as Philadelphia, Boston, and even Las Vegas.

Benjamin Tamarin, a junior at Irvington High School. Outside of school he takes classes in improvisational theater, creative writing, guitar and filmmaking. Ben enjoys building sets and running the sound board for high school shows and working on his school’s video news program. He became a Youth Ambassador in April of 2012 so that he could be a strong advocate for himself and others with TS. As a Youth Ambassador Ben’s goal is to help other kids with TS feel more comfortable in their own schools and communities.

Josh Wachtenheim, 16 years old and a junior at New Rochelle High school. In his spare time he enjoys playing video games, watching movies and teaching himself new songs on guitar. In 2013, Josh joined the TSA Youth Ambassador program to help put an end to misinterpretations of what it means to actually have TS. He hopes to educate youngsters about TS and keep people from misunderstanding the symptoms and actions of those living with Tourette’s Syndrome.