Joyce welcomes Staci Forrest, winner of the 2013 Sam Miller Award, Sam's mother Ginny, and the chair of the Bender Lead On Team, Gerald Homme. Before his suicide in 2011, Sam was a dedicated member of the Bender Lead On Team; throughout his life, Sam was also a victim of bullying. Sam supported other young people with disabilities and fought for justice for all people who faced bullying and other forms of discrimination. This represents the reason why the award was established in his honor.