Brandon Stees is a student at Blue Ridge Community College. He has completed a majority of the requirements towards an Associates Degree which he hopes to complete by Spring 2028. Brandon has many interests and abilities that he loves to share with others. He also identifies as a person with multiple disabilities, including intellectual disability and low vision. Brandon graduated from Harrisonburg High School as the first person with Down Syndrome to earn a standard diploma.

One of Brandon’s interests is public speaking and advocating for people with disabilities. He has been a guest speaker at various college events or classes including JMU, the College of William and Mary, the University of Texas-El Paso, to name a few. Brandon has served on panels for teacher training sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education, and previously served on the Virginia State Special Education Advisory Committee.

Brandon’s hobbies include writing fan-fiction and board gaming with friends and family. He also enjoys playing euphonium in the Massanutten Youth Brass Band and the JMU Concert band. His dreams for the future include wanting to open a board game cafe, to act, and continue to speak and advocate for people with disabilities. He’s always happy to share about his experiences as a person with disabilities in the hope of bringing encouragement to others and connecting people.