High school student with Down syndrome, excited to be on the homecoming field

HIGHLAND, Ark. (KAIT) – Emily Anderson is a student at Highland High School and for her senior year she will have the honor of being on the homecoming field.

Emily was diagnosed with Down syndrome and her parents, Daniel and Brandy Anderson, said there have been challenges over the years, but also a lot of good.

“I just want everyone to know that people with disabilities can do anything that anyone else can do and Emily has persevered through so many heart surgeries and many surgeries and just overcome a lot,” Brandy said.

“Emily has been a cheerleader since she was five years old, she has always been a part of the community, she has always been a part of the school and accepted by all her peers.”

Her friends and cheer teammates, Dacey Stevens, Trinity Enloe, Abby Claxton and Kennadie Parish, all say Emily is a joy to be around; she always has a smile on her face.

‘I’ve known Em since kindergarten. She is absolutely precious, I love her so much,” Stevens said.

“Emily really shines a light on our practice, she comes in with her snacks and shares snacks with everyone. She really looks like my sister, who I never had on the cheer team,” Enloe said.

Emily says Dacey is her best friend.

“I really like Dacey, but I love her so much,” Emily said.

When the time came for the student body to vote for homecoming, some students began sending emails encouraging the student body to vote for Emily.

“The other maids were even like Emily Anderson for Homecoming Queen. Emily Anderson for Queen. Everyone just loves Emily,” Claxton said.

“These kids are all great, everyone here in the stands, they never pressured Emily at all, they always brought her in, always accepted her, it was fantastic,” Daniel said.

Emily has the full support of her colleagues and community.

“It’s going to be amazing, Emily is so excited. The day she found out she was going to be on the track she got happy and looked like the guys I did and she was jumping up and down so excited,” says Parish . said.

As it is her senior year, Emily hopes to leave a lasting impact and legacy on her school and community. She wants to become a doctor when she graduates.

“It was great growing up with her, she was never rude to me, I was never rude to her. We have an incredible bond, and I’m really sad that I waited so long to get so close to her,” Stevens said.

Emily will take the field as a homecoming girl on Friday evening, October 25, when the Rebels take on Cave City.

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