Students at some high schools in America are showing their communities what can happen if prejudice doesn't exist. To celebrate and observe the annual homecoming tradition, the schools have selected students with special needs as their Homecoming Kings and Queens. Suffice to say, their parents and teachers are mighty proud of the move.
Northwood High School in Pittsboro, North Carolina has chosen special needs student Blake Schemmer as its Homecoming King. He was crowned Friday, Oct. 7, in a ceremony that had his schoolmates chanting his last name, ABC 11 reports.
Teachers said that Blake Schemmer has always won the hearts of his peers for his positive personality and the choice could never be seen as a sympathy vote. "Every morning he comes in he's smiling, he's energetic," the school's athletic director Cameron Vernon told the reporters.
Congrats to our king and queen. Blake Schemmer and Natalie Huggins @NHSChargers @NorthwoodNut pic.twitter.com/MAazFBbvQ3
— Northwood Athletics (@ChargerAthletes) October 7, 2016
At the Hazen High School in Renton, Washington, 18-year-old student with Down syndrome, Kenya Chacon, was named the Homecoming Queen by her peers as well. She paraded during a Friday football game, complete with a sash and crown. The school has been choosing students with special needs in the homecoming court for the last three years, Komo News reports.
Meanwhile, Virginia's West End High School named Blayne Gibbs as their Homecoming Queen. She was escorted by her father during the parade, while her mother said she never expected that her daughter with autism would be elected by her peers, Herald Courier reports.
Blayne Gibbs comes from the first batch of students with special needs at the high school, where the kids regard her like a regular schoolmate. The school principal expressed proudness for the senior class for their choice.
As it is, the school has plenty of achievers academically, but this is another accomplishment that brings honor and pride to the community. "There will never be a column to evaluate what it means to be a good person," principal Butch Dixon told reporters.
Riverside High School in Spokane, Washington also crowned special needs students Tatiana Beers and Jon Jones for their homecoming court. Check out the events in the video below.
