homecoming king will make you smile

KMSP-TV
from My Fox 9:
Blaine High School homecoming king Brock Shepard fits the stereotype -- a popular, three-sport athlete with an amazing smile. More than 2,000 students selected Shepard as their homecoming king not because he has Down syndrome, but “because of what he means to the school in spite of it,” the school said.
“Everyone loves him,” homecoming queen Britney Monteon said. “He means a lot to the school. He's amazing.”
Shepard is known for his “infectious” personality at BHS. He's the manager of the Bengals wrestling and plays on the school's adapted floor hockey, bowling and soccer teams.

Congratulations Brock! Watch his coronation at http://youtu.be/nWZML9g52X4

Teen with down syndrome honored as homecoming and prom queen

by Kym Clark from CBS Atlanta:
A Mid-South teenager had her dreams come true when she was homecoming queen at Bolivar High School. But Kara Marcum did not stop there. The senior, who was born with down syndrome, also earned the prom queen crown.

Marcum was crowned prom queen on Friday.

But back in January, Action News 5 met the popular senior when she was in the running for homecoming queen.

Her parents never imagined their daughter would receive such high honors when they first learned she had down syndrome.

Her PACE class teacher, Angela Galloway, says Kara's personality is what makes her beloved by the entire school.

Now that she has earned the title of both homecoming queen and prom queen, Kara has her sights set on graduation. She will earn her diploma in just a few weeks.

CBS Atlanta 46

Student with Down Syndrome Crowned Homecoming Queen

by Adm Hammond from WREG News Channel 3:
You can tell by her shoes Kara Marcum loves sparkly things, and Friday night Kara may trade in those sparkly shoes for a shiny tiara if she is elected homecoming queen.
The Bolivar High senior class is rallying around this special needs student by voting her to the homecoming court.
Kara told News Channel 3 she is happy and excited about the honor.
She says her dress is black but the other details are still a secret.
Caleb McKinney is Kara’s escort for homecoming court.
“She makes everybody’s day better and this is just giving back to her I guess because she deserves it,” said McKinney.
He says she brings the entire school together, and the fact that she’s on the homecoming court shows the school’s kindness and acceptance.
“I feel really privileged and blessed to be a part of this because she’s just a great person, and I wouldn’t want to walk out anybody but her,” said McKinney.
Kara’s teacher Angela Galloway says her sense of humor, charm and positive attitude got Kara the votes and made her a role model for other students.
“She just brings everyone together and it’s great to see everyone embrace her no matter what’s going,” said Galloway.
Kara tells News Channel 3 she would be excited if she won the crown, and it would complete this homecoming fairytale for her.

Homecoming couple continue to inspire

Krissy Altersohn, 19, and Tom Broviak, 17, were elected homecoming queen and king at Geneva High School in the fall. (Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune / December 27, 2012)

By Vikki Ortiz Healy, Chicago Tribune reporter:
There were few dry eyes in the gymnasium when best friends Thomas Broviak and Krissy Altersohn, two students with Down syndrome, were elected homecoming king and queen at Geneva High School in the fall.
In the weeks that followed, Broviak insisted on wearing his dance shoes, even during gym class. Altersohn's mom said she saw a noticeable boost in her daughter's confidence and even found her applying makeup in the mirror before school.
"She said, 'I'm the queen. I've got to wear makeup now,'" Kathy Altersohn said.
But as the year comes to a close, the true impact of the teens' honor is still playing out in the suburban community of 22,000, where shop owners proudly tell visitors that theirs is the community that prompted thousands of "likes" on Facebook when the homecoming story went viral. The Broviak and Altersohn families continue to receive congratulations from across the country. And at the high school, what had been little-known programs designed to pair average students with their special-needs peers have doubled, even tripled in membership because students have been inspired by Altersohn and Broviak, officials said.
"Too often, our high school students get a bad rap," Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said. "But I believe wholeheartedly that we continue to learn a great deal from the youngest people in our community — how to treat each other and what matters most."

Why They Crowned Mary Margaret Homecoming Queen

by Rod Dreher from the American Conservative:
After several people on a thread below expressed skepticism about West Feliciana High School students voting Mary Margaret Burns, a classmate with Down syndrome, as this year’s homecoming queen, a few of those who know her chimed in to challenge the naysayers. I especially like this one, from a girl who was on the homecoming court:

I’m also from West Feliciana High school, and I also personally know Mary Margaret. Along with Mary Margaret, I was on homecoming court. All of us on court wanted Mary Margaret to be crowned queen. We talked about it all the time and looked forward to stepping onto the field Friday night and getting to witness such a beautiful girl and dear friend be recognized as homecoming queen. We couldn’t wait to see her reaction, that joy she would soon be filled with. She was very deserving of the crown and we all knew she would win before it was even announced because she is evident in our school. We all love her to death and care for her very deeply. She is so much fun to be around and talk to. She was not chosen because of her disability, she was chosen because of the huge heart she has and the ability to make anyone smile. When she comes up to you and gives you a hug and asks you how you are doing it automatically puts a smile on your face, and everyone in our school knows exactly what I’m talking about. Like I said, she wasn’t chosen because of her disability. But yes, it is a big deal and a very proud moment for her because while we can go on to college, get married, have kids of our own, and have many other opportunities in life, she won’t get to grow up and be able to say she has done everything and accomplished some of the things we have/will. That does not make her lesser of a person, but Friday night was huge for her in the fact that she will remember that night forever. October 19th will never be forgotten for her. That meant as much to her as getting married or graduating college or landing a successful job is to us. I love Mary Margaret with all of my heart and as much as my school and town loves her, she loves us that much back. I wouldn’t of wanted anyone else to win homecoming queen rather than her. Even though me and 8 of my other friends were up there in the running for queen also, none of us would have wanted it any other way. It was an amazing experience for her and her family and to be able to congratulate her parents and see that look in their eyes was one of the most heart warming feelings. They are so proud of her and happy that their daughter was able to experience such a special moment in her life that, I know, she will never forget.

High school awards homecoming king honors to student with Down syndrome

from KPLC TV:
At a San Diego high school, students are awarding homecoming king honors to a student with Down syndrome.
Although Ivan Mendoza has Down syndrome, that doesn't stop him from being one of the most popular kids on campus and putting a smile on everyone's face. Those qualities are part of the reason his classmates are awarding him homecoming king honors.
"He's so sweet," said a classmate who voted for him. "Even if he doesn't know you, he says hi. He's always talking to people. He's just really nice."
Another classmate said Ivan has one of the most appealing personalities on campus.
"When I see Ivan on campus, he's always outgoing, friendly, and nice," he said.
Once he heard about Ivan being on the homecoming king ballot, one of the school's football players dropped out of the race so that Ivan would be the only one in the running.
"I thought he should have the opportunity to win," said the football player. "So I just told myself I should drop out because I would like for him to win."
Ivan's mother said the gesture from classmates shows he is truly loved.
And it is that love that will make this year's homecoming that much more special.

students support homecoming queen nominee with Down syndrome

by Marc Valero from Tampa Bay Online:
Sebring High School students clapped and cheered for 26 senior guys and gals during the Homecoming Court Processional on Wednesday morning in the school's gymnasium.
The event gave students a chance to see the guys in dress suits and the gals in evening gowns before they voted later in the day for the 2012 homecoming king and queen.
One of the nominees the students selected for homecoming queen, and a favorite in many hearts, is Samantha Alamo, who has Down syndrome.
As he waited to walk in the processional, J.T. Gaskins said, "I am so nervous right now."
Commenting on Samantha, J.T. said, "I think it's great; I actually want her to win and I believe that she will, actually; she's a good candidate."
Samantha's caretaker is her sister, Krystle, who said relatives from Bartow and Kissimmee are coming to town to join her family in Sebring to see Samantha and celebrate her selection.
"Everybody is super excited," she said. "We're super excited. Everybody has been really, really good about having her in homecoming."
The year has gone by fast, she noted. Their mother passed away in April and their father died in April 2011.
"She (Samantha) got the great honor to come live with me," Krystle exclaimed.
Samantha said the best part of school is her friends.
She likes to bake cakes, cupcakes and brownies, Samantha said.
Sister-in-law Nicole Torres said Samantha also makes deviled eggs.
"I taught her one time and went to the house the next week and you were making them all by yourself," Torres said looking at Samantha.
The 26 nominated guys and gals relaxed a bit after being presented to the first of two assemblies of students in the gymnasium.
Samantha's homecoming processional partner, Dalton Helvey, said, "It's fun and exciting. It's a new and memorable experience. It's something different that you don't get to do every day."
This is Dalton's second year working with Samantha in class.
"She's a good friend of mine," he said. "We are glad she can make (homecoming) court this year.
Homecoming queen nominee Cheyenne Reeves said Samantha looked pretty and did well during the processional.
Commenting on Samantha, Principal Anne Lindsay said, "She's one of the whole school. It doesn't surprise me. They are all special students and they all have their own gifts and talents and so does she.
"We don't see her as different, we see her as one of us."
The boys and girls were paired up for the processional, but all the Sebring High students will vote for their favorite for king and queen, irrespective of the processional pairings.
The king and queen winners and three male and female runners-up will make up the Homecoming Court.
The winners will be announced Friday night at the homecoming football game at Firemen's Field.

Student with Down Syndrome Honored as Homecoming King

by Meredith Ley, WSAV 3:
Fall is here, and that means its homecoming season. 
The title of homecoming queen and king are bestowed upon the school's most popular and respected students.
And students at South Effingham High School have overwhelmingly chosen one young man as their homecoming king.
Senior Michael Holton will tell you he is just like everyone else.  He enjoys sports and music, and just like all teenage boys, he enjoys the company of his female friends. There is something that makes him different, but his friends say they wouldn't want him to change one bit.
Here at South Effingham High, Michael Holton is known as the big guy on campus.
"Every time I see him walking down the hall, everyone is giving him high fives,” says Senior Tyler Sheppard.
 So naturally, when it came time to vote for homecoming court his friend Kaite White knew there was only one guy worthy of being king.
"I was like, 'Ya’ll need to go and vote for Mikey, don't forget,’ and everyone had already gone and done it. Everyone knew and wanted Mikey to win."
Mikey has Down Syndrome, but his friends say they don't see his disability.  Amy Jameson just sees someone she admires.
"He never lets anything bring him down. No matter if he fails and fails, he is going to keep trying, and that encourages all of us to never give up and take his spirit, and it rubs off on a lot of our peers as well as ourselves."
On Saturday, Mikey received his crown after capturing the hearts and votes of 97 percent of his school.  Assistant Principal Jeff Faith says its not just a testament to Mikey, but the entire student body. 
"They are very caring and compassionate, but more than anything else, they just accept Mikey as one of the regular students."
For mom, Amy Holton, it’s just another way Mikey continues to defy the odds.
"Michael has just always surprised us. We’ve always pushed him to do different things and exposed him to different things. Don’t limit your children, whether they have a disability or don't have a disability."
Mikey can add homecoming king to his long list of accomplishments. 
He has also earned five gold medals in the Equestrian Special Olympics and a second degree blue belt in Tae Kwon Do. 
To learn more about Mikey, pick up last month's issue of Effingham Magazine.

Student with Down syndrome crowned homecoming queen

by Tyana Williams WAFB 9:

Their football team left the field with a loss in Thursday night's homecoming game in Livingston Parish, but two Juban Parc Junior High football players still had huge smiles. That's because a plan they've been working on since last year got a classmate some special attention. They say that's the win that really matters.

Inside JPJH is a student that everyone knows. Her class is not as large as others, but anyone will tell you her heart is.

"She's kind towards everybody and has a really sweet heart," said Kallie Pope, an eighth grader at the school.

Kallie said she's known Meghan Burns since the fourth grade. Teachers say Kallie is one of the girls who watches out for Meghan - at school dances and sports games.

Dillon Boyle and Mathew Guzzardo met Meghan two years ago, in sixth grade.

"She's got a good heart...she's nice to everybody," said Guzzardo.

"I'll be in the hallway and I'll say, 'Hey Meghan' and she'll say, 'Hey Dillon, what you doing?'" said Boyle.

Dillon said he was watching television last year when he saw something about a school voting a girl with Down syndrome as homecoming queen. He says that's when he decided to get his classmates to do the same for Meghan. And, he asked Mathew to help him.

"At first, some didn't think we were serious," Guzzardo said. "Then, after we told a lot of people, most decided they were going to do it."

Dillon said they really spread the word, mainly through their football team, and that's what really got things moving.

So, Wednesday night when Meghan walked down the 50-yard line, as the announcer named those on the homecoming court, no one was surprised. In fact, there were lots of cheers when her name was called. And, her personality really showed through as she posed, while her list of accomplishments and awards from competing in the Special Olympics were read.

Even though Meghan has Down syndrome, her classmates say she's no different from them. So, when her name was called as homecoming queen, the stadium erupted in cheers.

"We just jumped up and started screaming, hollering," said Pope.

"We were all in tears, so excited. Ran and hugged her. She was so happy," said Alexus Day, another classmate.

Turns out, Meghan got 90 percent of the votes.

"We knew 'cause so many people said they were going to vote for her," Day said.

When Meghan showed up at school Thursday in her sash and crown, the students realized just how much the honor meant.

"She's strutting her stuff," said Boyle. "Biggest smile on her face from ear to ear. It was amazing. Made me feel I did something good."

Perhaps the students at Juban Parc Junior High have already learned what the poster in Meghan's class states, "Expect to be accepted for who you are."

One of the teachers at the school says Meghan's mom told her she had no idea the kids cared so much for her daughter.

Teen with Down syndrome crowned homecoming queen

By Dana Macario from Today Moms:What do you know, another cheerleader has been crowned homecoming queen. Except 19-year-old Allyssa Brubeck isn’t just your typical popular teen, she also has Down syndrome. While her coronation is reason enough to celebrate, what may be the most touching of all is her classmates’ reactions to all the fuss surrounding their new royalty. They just don’t understand what the big deal is. Who cares that she has Down syndrome? She’s just Allyssa, a happy, friendly cheerleader. As The Kansas City Star reports, the student newspaper journalists didn’t even think to mention her disability when writing the story of the Homecoming election results. Their adult supervisor had to convince them that it was worth noting. During her four years at Park Hill South High School in Kansas City, Mo., Allyssa has become an active member of the student body and a teen who seemingly has a hug and a smile for everyone. When the school district posted the story on its Facebook page, the kids couldn’t believe the amount of attention the story got.“Everyone in the stands was crying,” 18-year-old classmate Leah Smith told The Star. “Everyone loves her.”
“She deserved to be homecoming queen,” said Sam Boling, 17, who was a runner-up for queen.
While the teens at Park Hill South High School are taking this all in stride, adults are much more impressed with this year’s queen – and what it says about her fellow students. We can all hope that this is a sign that kids with disabilities are one step closer to being accepted as just another kid.
“They’re growing up together,” Amy Allison, executive director of the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City, told The Kansas City Star. Disabilities among classmates “are negligible to kids. They see the challenges they face, but they see they are happy and they want to help.”
Allyssa’s mother, Cindy Small, was touched by the support for her daughter, whom she describes as fearless. She told the Kansas City Star that Allyssa had always kept up with her younger sister, 17-year-old Annabelle; whether it was biking, golf or swimming. When Alyssa decided she wanted to be a cheerleader, she went for it. And got it.
As for Allyssa, like any teen girl, she’s just thrilled to be her school’s Homecoming Queen. “I’m a winner,” Allyssa told The Star. “I feel awesome.”
Dana Macario is a Seattle area mom who’s incredibly impressed with Allyssa and her classmates.

high school's homecoming queen top story of 2011

from Rankin Ledger:

Katelyn Simpson's journey to become Northwest Rankin High School's Homecoming Queen spread around the state and parts of the country, making her story the most talked about tale of the year for Rankin Ledger.

The popular teen, who has Down Syndrome, did not have the requisite GPA to be considered for the school's homecoming court.

But with student and faculty support, Katelyn's name was allowed on the ballot, and the cheers ringing from the crowd on homecoming night when Katelyn was crowned Queen let everyone know Northwest Rankin students wouldn't have it any other way.

A tearful Katelyn, flanked by her equally tearful father, was surrounded by her peers on the football field, wiped her eyes and turned on her brilliant smile, saying, "Thank you."

Homecoming King challenges society's preconceptions about what he could or should do

from My San Antonio:

Fall Friday nights in South Texas mean high school football. Along with the season come traditions such as homecoming and the election of student body royalty.

Homecoming kings and queens and their royal courts represent a flight of fancy, an opportunity to play make-believe and claim the regal titles of a fantasy world. But what took place last week at Alamo Heights High School was a real-world lesson about human spirit and the nobility of human character.

Heights senior Drew Boynton has Down syndrome. At some point, he mentioned to classmates his desire to become this year's homecoming king.

It might have seemed like a whimsical notion at first. But the campaign to elect Drew gained momentum, first among his fellow special education students and their peer mentors, then among others in the student body.

When the votes were tallied last week, Drew had won the crown. In an emotional halftime ceremony Friday night at Orem Stadium, Drew claimed his title.

Not so many years ago, the idea that students with developmental disabilities could be educated in a traditional school environment seemed like a whimsical notion. Yet people like Drew have challenged society's preconceptions about what they could or should do.

Alamo Heights students deserve praise for turning Drew's dream into a reality that he will cherish for a lifetime. But the biggest congratulations are due to Drew for reminding those around him of the potential for greatness that resides within every human being.

Sisters with Down syndrome serve as homecoming queens

from Deseret News:

With eyes twinkling behind her glasses, Madi Sonju blew a kiss to her Deseret Hills High School classmates when her name was announced as a homecoming queen finalist.

She put a pudgy hand to her mouth and burst into tears when she heard her named called again a few seconds later as the 2011 queen. And getting a boost to place the tiara on her head was last year's homecoming queen, her older but shorter sister, Macey.

Both girls beamed as the crowd at Friday night's football game cheered and applauded.
"I can't believe the student body at Desert Hill High. They have been absolutely so supportive of my girls," said their mother Leslye Sonju. "To have them recognized like this is just a dream come true for both of them."

The Sonju sisters were born with Down syndrome.

"It feels so good," Madi said afterward still clutching the flower bouquet Macey placed in her arms.

Asked how long she had wanted to be homecoming queen, Madi said "forever."

The girls' father, Bob Sonju, called this year's and last year's homecoming events special moment in his daughter's lives. He said he can't say enough about the students, faculty and administrators at Desert Hills.

"They just include our kids in everything," he said.

Both girls have been active in school programs including dance classes and cheer. Macey graduated this past year.