Boy, Girl With Down Syndrome Chosen Prom King, Queen
By Pei-Sze Cheng
NBCNewYork.com
updated 6/29/2012 5:46:49 PM ET
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.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48020304/ns/local_news-new_york_ny/
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