Hannah Humes

Hannah is a funny, caring 23-year-old. She completed William Mason High School in 2020 and graduated from Vanderbilt University Next Steps in May, 2024. She is currently employed at the Nashville Children’s Theatre.

Hannah has always been a trailblazer. Armed with research and a family willing to fight for her, Hannah had access to the general education curriculum her entire life, she has been included and able to participate in the same activities as others around her. She was the only student with Down syndrome to be educated alongside typical peers in her school and she always championed the importance of reading instruction. Her access gave her more opportunities to read from text, poetry, magazines, music lyrics and many other materials which led to her enjoyment of reading. Hannah led her own IEP meetings in high school, was the first student with Down syndrome to work inside her school store, she was a member of the high school Teacher Academy and was a member of an honor society. Hannah volunteered in the community center for three years. She participated in a TEDX event discussing the importance of inclusion at the high school level and was a first- time presenter at the National Down Syndrome Congress convention in Pittsburgh in 2019 using music to showcase how it makes one feel and helps with being included.

At Vanderbilt, Hannah was a Think College Policy Advocate as well as the 2022 self- advocate of the year for DSAMT. The VANDYBOYS helped her bring awareness to World Down Syndrome Day during a baseball game (March 21, 2021) and a favorite college memory was being a guest DJ on WSM radio on 3/21/2024. She also has a poem published in the book: Creating Our Own Lives. On September 7, 2024 Hannah was pictured in her Vanderbilt University regalia as part of the annual National Down Syndrome Society’s Times Square Video presentation in NYC.

In addition to all her educational success, Hannah was highlighted in the June 2020 issue of People magazine! Her passions include music and attending concerts, time spent with friends, swimming and traveling. She enjoys living in midtown, walking Music Row, all the downtown Nashville fun, attending songwriter rounds and being an industry tier member of the CMA. Hannah advocates for others to set high expectations, self-advocate, read, sing, know what motivates them and celebrate individuality. Hannah will again serve as guest DJ on WSM Radio to promote Down syndrome awareness month on October 15, 2024 at 4:00pm.