by KATIE GLENN Iowa/Midwest Student Leaders flash their MW (Midwest Symbol) before Opening Ceremonies of LC 2009. Bloomington, IN - Over fifty students from the Iowa/Midwest college and high school chapters attended the 20th Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN July 24-27. There, along with 800 other student leaders, they learned about Best Buddies, leadership, delegation, fundraising, intellectual disabilities, and much more. This year's Leadership Conference theme was “We Are Best Buddies” as the organization looks back at and celebrates the past 20 years of programs The weekend kicked-off with opening ceremonies featuring a drumline and cheer performance, guest speakers and the Buddy Fashion Show. Throughout the weekend students were divided into groups with their program and while learning about how to run a successful chapter at their school, they had the opportunity to meet new friends from around the U.S. and all over the world including: Ireland, Colombia, Denmark, Greece, Iceland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Russia, and Spain. Buddies United In Leadership Development (BUILD) also had 55 people with intellectual/developmental disabilities attend Leadership Conference and showcase their public speaking abilities and learn how to reach out to their communities back home and talk about Best Buddies.  Every year at Leadership Conference awards are given out to Outstanding Chapters throughout the world. This year Iowa City High School, Miami University of Ohio and University of Michigan were all honored with this award. Overall the weekend gave all of the student leaders a jumping off point for the school year to come and reminded them that we are all working toward the same mission and vision of equality for all people. We Are Best Buddies!