BrekLynn Pancheri, Miss Idaho's Teen

Highlighted on Idaho Matters: Sharing Our Mission on Boise State Public Radio

News/Media
December 10, 2024•3 min read

Hello everyone!

I’m BrekLynn Pancheri, your Miss Idaho’s Teen, and I’m excited to share another meaningful moment in my journey toward Making the World More Inclusive, One Special Step at a Time. On December 2nd, I had the opportunity to appear on Idaho Matters, Boise State Public Radio’s show hosted by Gemma Gaudette, with producer Samantha Wright. We discussed my upcoming competition at Miss America’s Teen, as well as the mission and heart behind my nonprofit, Special Steps, and my children’s book, "Darla & Belle: Becoming Best Friends."

Reflecting on the Idaho Matters Interview

The conversation with Gemma Gaudette was both enlightening and empowering. We talked about:

  • My Path to Miss America’s Teen: Sharing how I’m preparing for the big stage later this month.

  • Special Steps Nonprofit: Explaining how this 501(c)(3) organization offers free dance camps for children with special needs, ensuring they feel loved, included, and confident.

  • "Darla & Belle" Book: Discussing how my children’s book promotes inclusion, teaching young readers that friendship and kindness can transcend any difference.

Having the chance to speak about these passions on Idaho Matters reminded me why I started on this path—to inspire others and spread compassion through my work.

Watch and Listen

If you’d like to hear the full conversation, you can explore it both online and on YouTube. Although the interview is presented in a podcast style—primarily audio with a single image—it offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with the heart of our discussion.

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  • By listening in, you’ll gain deeper insights into our work at Special Steps, the story behind "Darla & Belle: Becoming Best Friends," and how I’m preparing to represent Idaho on the national stage. I hope it brings you even closer to understanding why our mission of Making the World More Inclusive, One Special Step at a Time means so much to me.

Special Steps: Our Mission in Action

Special Steps remains at the core of what I do—providing a platform for children with special needs to dance, have fun, and build confidence. With each step, we’re committed to Making the World More Inclusive, One Special Step at a Time. Every camp we host and every smile we see inspires us to do more.

Support Special Steps:

Your support helps sustain and grow our programs, ensuring more kids experience the joy of dance in a supportive, welcoming environment.

Embracing Inclusion Through Storytelling

My children’s book, "Darla & Belle: Becoming Best Friends," allows me to share the message of inclusion with the next generation. By introducing themes of friendship, understanding, and acceptance early on, we build a foundation for a kinder future.

Grab Your Copy:

All proceeds support Special Steps, helping to fund the extras that make our free dance camps even more enriching.

Looking Forward

As I prepare to represent Idaho at Miss America’s Teen, I carry with me the stories, values, and vision that drive my work. Speaking on Idaho Matters reinforced my commitment to continuing this mission, inviting more people to join me in Making the World More Inclusive, One Special Step at a Time.

Thank you to Gemma Gaudette, Samantha Wright, and the Boise State Public Radio team for providing a platform to share my story and engage our community in a conversation about inclusion, dance, and making a difference.

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