Girl with Down’s Syndrome Becomes Homecoming Queen
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October 4, 2011 TheFreshOutlook  |
An 18-year-old girl, Mariah Slick, who has Down’s syndrome has been crowned homecoming queen in her school in North Texas.
Mariah Slick, a high school senior with Down’s syndrome, has been crowned homecoming queen of her school in North Texas.
Described as “well liked by everybody”, Ms Slick is one of the first students with special needs to have ever been crowned homecoming queen in the US.
“I never dreamed she would be nominated homecoming queen, especially since she has special needs,” Ms Slick’s mother, Susan Slick, said to CBS.
“From the moment she was nominated I was a ball of excitement,” she added.
Ms Slick’s triumph was announced during a half-time ceremony at the homecoming game of Azle High School.
“The community loves stories that show that people are people first, and Down syndrome does not limit them from being liked, and even chosen, by their peers,” said Julie Cevallos, Vice President of Marketing at the American National Down Syndrome Society, speaking exclusively to The Fresh Outlook.
Talking about the many difficulties, people with Down syndrome face on a daily basis, Ms Cevallos said:
“The biggest challenge is public perception, and understanding that people with Down syndrome are capable of learning and contributing.”
To learn more about achievements of people with Down’s syndrome or to share stories, please go to: www.NDSS.org/stories.
By Rosaria Sgueglia
[Image courtesy of kateatyrownrisk]