People, left to their own devices. frequently have kind and accepting impulses:
Jacob Gehringer, a boy with Down syndrome, was crowned homecoming king Friday night at Papillion-La Vista South High School.
A capacity crowd erupted wildly at the election of Gehringer, 18, whose crowning took place during a ceremony on the football field at Papillion-La Vista’s Foundation Field.
The announcement brought some in the crowd to tears.
Gehringer and the homecoming queen, Adyson Goodnight, 17, took the traditional chariot ride following their selection.
It was a touching milestone for the school that opened in 2003, where officials say acceptance is ingrained in the culture.
Gehringer’s mother said the inclusive environment at Papio South was a big factor in his nomination.
Classmates got to know her son because they grew up alongside him. He takes the same classes as they do, plays cymbals in the band and is on the bowling team.
His mother said inclusion benefits his classmates, too, opening their eyes to the potential of people with intellectual disabilities.
The students elected him king from among eight boys nominated.
A California high school has elected a 16-year-old trans girl its 2013 homecoming queen. According to the Los Angeles Times, Cassidy Lynn Campbell won the title on Friday night at Marina High School in Huntington Beach.
Campbell told the Times that she entered her name for the honor to make a statement to the world and to other transgender teens.
“If I win it would mean that the school recognizes me as the gender I always felt I was,” she said. “But with all the attention, I realized it’s bigger than me. I’m doing this for the kids who can’t be themselves.”
School district spokesperson Tom Delapp described an emotional scene on the dais when Cassidy won the title.
“She was stunned. She kind of broke down on the podium,” said Delapp to the Times. “She was shocked. She cried a lot.”
