Helen Mirren gives royal welcome to boy with Down syndrome and terminal cancer

by Randee Dawn from Today:
Dame Helen Mirren all by herself is pretty terrific. But put the 70-year-old Oscar winner in the outfit of the Queen, and she wears it like a superhero.
Recently, she stormed outside mid-performance of her London show "The Audience" (in which she plays Queen Elizabeth II) to unload on noisy drummers (and later publicly wore a handmade T-shirt supporting their cause). But her latest deed goes one step further: Last week, she agreed to have tea with 10-year-old Oliver Burton, who has Down syndrome and has been battling cancer for much of his short life.
Burton was diagnosed with leukemia in 2006, and was recently given a terminal diagnosis, according to a Facebook page set up to support him. But he had one dying wish: To have afternoon tea with the Queen and visit Buckingham Palace, as reported by the Leicester Mercury.
A national trust designed to support cancer-stricken children requested the actual Queen Elizabeth II -- who couldn't work it into her schedule.
So Mirren stepped forward to invite him to the Gielgud Theatre to see her play the Queen -- and invited him backstage to share tea and cake and to meet the corgis who star in the play with her. There were even footmen.And naturally, she was in costume the entire time.
"Our incredibly brave Ollie has Tea with The Queen!" the National/Regional Children's Tumor Leukaemia and Cancer Trust posted on their page.
His mother Catherine told the Mercury, "Dame Helen was brilliant. She stayed in character the whole time and spent a lot of time talking to Oliver and drawing him out of himself. She signed his British flag, which he waves all the time."
She also knighted him, with her hand. Now, that's royal behavior.

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.

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 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.

Boy, Girl With Down Syndrome Chosen Prom King, Queen

from NBC New York by Pei-Sze Cheng:

Meghan Latini's parents have always hoped other children would accept her, but they never dreamed their daughter, who has Down syndrome, would be prom queen.

Last week, Latini received the honor at Huntington High School, and her boyfriend, Brendan Higgins, who also has Down syndrome, was voted king.

"She always reached heights that we didn't know she would be able to," said Marianne Latini, her mother.  "We are so lucky."

"I felt like I was a queen," said Meghan Latini. "I felt special."

She describes prom night as a dream come true.

"A lot of people were cheering for me, so I was pretty happy," said the 17-year-old.

Both Latini and Higgins graduated from Huntington High School this year. They have been dating for four years but have known each other since they were in pre-school.

While most schools are usually judged by their test scores or athletics, Latini's parents say the generous act of the student body really shows the character of the students and the school community.

"Megs is special to us but to get that kind of recognition from your peers, that is really something, and it felt great," said Joe Latini, the teen's father.

Recent graduate Samantha Palmer was also nominated for prom queen, but she says she voted for Latini.

"They won, like, cutest couple for our grade and everyone loves them," said Palmer. "That's why I voted for them."

Josh Morris, a student at Huntington High School, said, "A lot of the seniors grew up with them, they've known them since kindergarten and many people really thought they deserved it."

Next year Latini and Higgins are going to attend the same tech school, but they have their sights set on college.

How a cheerleader with Down's Syndrome became homecoming queen and touched a community

from The Daily Mail:
It can be a difficult time for many teens.
But high school for Barbara Behlmann has been exhilarating. 
The 19-year-old has inspired her classmates at Hazelwood West High in St Louis - not because she was crowned homecoming queen or is a star cheerleader - but because she has Down's Syndrome.

One of her teachers, Jodi Schutzenhofer, explained to STLToday.com: 'Unknowingly, Barbara has taught us all that nothing is impossible if you are willing to work for what you want.'As the website reports, Barbara was four-years-old when child welfare workers placed her in the foster home of Gary and Karen Behlmann - malnourished at 22lbs.

Her birth parents had neglected and abandoned her; by then, she had already lived in 17 other homes and had extreme difficulties communicating.Doctors described her as having 'failure to thrive.'

But the Behlmanns, STL Today reports, said slowly with nurturing and intense speech and language therapy, she began to flourish. Today, she is considered one of the most outgoing students at Hazelwood - and one of the most popular. 


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2145522/Barbara-Behlmann-Cheerleader-homecoming-queen-Downs-Syndrome-inspires-classmates.html#ixzz1v99xq4rj

Girl's Dream Comes True At Local Prom

from KVIA ABC-7 by Jennifer Myers:

Carolann Nunez is a Special Olympics gold medalist. She has also won second place in a national Glamor Shots contest. But the one thing Nunez really wanted to accomplish was being crowned prom queen at Americas High School.

Girl's Dream Comes True At Local Prom - News Story - KVIA El Paso

Her friends and family came together to make last Saturday's prom a truly memorable moment for Nunez. They made posters, tweeted to encourage voters and even spread the word on Facebook to help boost her numbers.

"Carolann has dreamed of being prom queen for years and years. She's watched Disney movies with prom queens getting crowned. For years and years she's always wanted to be prom queen," said her father, Michael Nunez.

Carolann Nunez has Down Syndrome. But that hasn't stopped her from achieving what many high school girls see as the epitome of high school accolades, something she says she couldn't have done without her friends and family. "So proud of them. My parents helped me make a dream come true," said Nunez.

ABC-7 spoke with a few Americas students, many of whom said they were touched by Nunez's kind heart and warm spirit. "She's the happiest person in the world. She's so energetic and full of life. She's the sweetest person on earth," said Americas senior Gabrielle Roper. "Every day when I see her, she's always really happy. She says hi to everybody. She's really friendly," said prom king Brian Contreras.

Nunez picked out a pink sparkly dress for the big occasion, and her father went as her date.

After she was crowned, the screams and cheers that followed after she was crowned showed just how much her fellow students cared.

After the prom king and queen dance, she ran up to one of her biggest supporters.

"She said, 'Daddy, I did it!' and gave me a great big hug," said her father.

ABC-7 asked her father what he would say if he could speak to all of the students that voted for Nunez. "Thank you to the student body. Their caring and acceptance of Carolann has just been fantastic. All the thanks in the world goes out to them for making her dream come true."

prom dream comes true for girl with Down syndrome

from 5 KSDK by Kristen Gosling:


It was quite the prom night for Kentucky high school senior Taryn Mains.
The Mason County High School senior, who has Down syndrome, had her dreams come true when her prince charming escorted her to prom.
As Taryn and her student tutors, who are also her friends, look through photographs from Saturday night, they reminisce about that special night.
Treg Setty, a 6'9" basketball player at Southern Illinois says he'd always had a soft spot for Taryn when he went to Mason County High School.
Last year, when Treg was a senior there, Taryn worked up the courage to ask him to prom.
He said yes, but with Treg in college this year, Taryn got dressed up and figured she'd be going alone.
That would not be the case.
Treg Setty said when he heard Taryn missed him, he had to find a way to be there on prom night.

"I just ran and gave him a hug and he liked that," says Taryn.

"If there's anything I want people to get out of this is to be there for people who need you to be there, and try to be a role model," says Treg.

But Prince Charming wasn't the only surprise of the night.

"She inspires me to be a better person. That's why I wanted to do it for her," says Samantha Kieper, a senior at Mason County High School.

A group of students lobbied hard to get Taryn Mains elected prom queen.

"She's just the sweetest girl," says Mackenzie King. "She's a queen even without the title."

Taryn's King would be Josh Harris, also an athlete who will be playing football for the University of Kentucky in the fall.

"He bent on his knee and gave me a rose," says Taryn.

As for happily ever after?

"Anytime she wants me to come back I will," says Josh Harris.

"He will," added Taryn.

One of Taryn Mains' peer tutors, Samantha Keiper, says the experience has inspired her to pursue a career in special education.

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."

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.

Prom Queen is 'the happiest girl in the world'

The battle to be crowned prom queen is notoriously fierce. But for the students at  Fair Grove High School, Missouri, there was only ever going to be one winner - Maisie Garoutte. The 19-year-old, who has Down's Syndrome, is so popular her fellow competitors decided to give up their own prom dreams to campaign on her behalf.

The two other girls in the running persuaded the whole school to vote for her, putting up  'Vote for Maisie' posters along the school corridors. Her teacher and mentor, Sue O'Dell, told MailOnline: 'To give up prom queen - it's a pretty big deal. But the seniors were wonderful this year.

Mrs O'Dell, who has taught Maisie for eight years, said the senior was thrilled to be crowned prom queen on April 30.
She said: 'She was extremely excited, she was was especially excited to get the crown, she wore it to school for the next two days.'

Maisie has been at the school since kindergarten, and is extremely popular among the students in her year, many of whom who have known her since she was five. Mrs O'Dell said: ''They all know her really well, they all help her when she needs it. The vote was pretty much unanimous'. Describing her as 'the sweetest person', Mrs O'Dell said Maisie has won the hearts of everyone at school as the morning greeter, high-fiving the students as they walk in the door.

She also volunteers at the school, rolling the teachers' cutlery every morning and delivering the mail to staff.

Mrs O'Dell, who posed with Maisie for pictures before the prom, said she wasn't at all surprised to see her win the coveted title.
She said: 'She is one of those people that everyone needs to have around at some point in her life.' Nor was school principal Mike Bell. He told the Springfield News-Leader: 'We have an incredible student body that works well with special-needs students.'
Maisie's father, Michael, told the newspaper: 'It was real sweet of those kids. She was mighty proud of that crown. She's got it right on top of her jewellery box. She's just real thankful for this.'

He described Maisie as 'the happiest girl in the world' after her win. He told the National Enquirer: 'Everybody loves her. I wish I was as happy all the time as she is. 'The other girls gave up her chance to be prom queen to let my Maisie get the crown - and that's tough for an 18-year-old girl to do.'

From dailymail.co.uk

Prom King and Queen, and they happen to have Down syndrome

From azcentral.com:

From AZ C"I imagined that she would be snubbed and made fun of and not be given opportunities," Mary Alten said. "I imagined that every day at school would be a struggle for her."

Instead, something wonderful happened.

Toni, now a senior at Loveland High, was crowned queen at Loveland's prom April 30. And her friend, Drew Anderson, also a senior with Down syndrome, was crowned king by their classmates.

As students cheered and placed a plush crown on Drew's head and a jeweled tiara on Toni's, Mary Alten clapped and cried.

"It really hit me at prom that night: What I had imagined for her turned out to be the exact opposite," she said. "That she would be so well-known and well-liked and accepted at school -- that was a pretty huge thing for us."

On prom night, when the royal winners were announced, the instant cheers, claps and smiles were universal and genuine.

"No one was upset; everyone was excited about the result," said Lauren Tipton, a senior who has known Drew since second grade. "Usually people are catty if they don't win. Usually they just vote for their friends. Drew and Tony are friends with everybody."

When Toni heard his name, he smiled and waved a peace sign to the crowd. "Everybody was happy," Drew said later.

When it was time, Drew and Toni clasped hands and danced in the spotlight to a Taylor Swift song. After a few moments, their classmates joined them.

Later they posed for pictures. Drew held up his hands up in a victory pose and Toni hoisted her bouquet over her head. There were high-fives and hugs, and some classmates and parents wiped tears from their eyes.

Two weeks later, Drew and Toni can still be seen sporting their crowns on the bus or at school. "I am the queen and Drew, he's my friend," Toni said. "I'm lovin' high school."