The smiles of six central Ohio kids will light up Times Square on Sept. 12 as part of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Times Square Video Presentation preceding the New York City Buddy Walk.
More than 2,700 photos of children, teens and adults with Down syndrome were submitted, according to an NDSS press release. Photo entries from the families of the following six local children were selected as part of 500 that made the final cut.
- Alaina Buckingham, 14, is a New Albany resident and freshman at Gahanna Lincoln High School.
- Carter Cherry, 10, is a Powell resident and fourth grader at Wyandot Run Elementary School.
- Cassian DeLorenzo Torres, 7, is a Pickerington resident and second grader at Toll Gate Elementary School.
- Himaya Hera, 10, is also a Pickerington resident and fourth grader at Pickerington Elementary School.
- Brayden Keaton, 15, is a Columbus resident and freshman at Columbus Alternative High School.
- Samuel “Sammy” Rodriguez Barreto, 5, is a Powell resident and kindergartener at Buckeye Valley West Elementary.
“We've actually submitted photos for many years,” said Tanya Buckingham, Alaina's mother. “Probably over five years. And so, it's kind of a yearly thing. I always submit a photo and do a donation towards the National Down Syndrome Society.”
The submitted photo features 14-year-old Alaina sporting a sequined
red gown before attending the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine prom on Feb. 13. Buckingham thought it would be the perfect visual representation of her daughter.
“It just really shows the fact that she lives a life just like anybody else, and experiences these joyful, wonderful moments,” she said.
Rodriguez Barreto’s mother, Janinah Barreto, said her son has become so well-known in their neighborhood that his sisters jokingly question why he’s so famous.
“I think it's good to just showcase who they are and what they bring to the table and their abilities,” Barreto said. “I think that's part of the reason why I decided to [submit his photo] – the joy that he brings.”
The NDSS video presentation will play on two jumbotron screens in Times Square from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. the morning of Sept. 12. Those who can’t make the trip can live stream the event from the NDSS Facebook page. The Buddy Walk will follow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Central Park.
More than 200 Buddy Walks take place across the country annually; Columbus will hold its own 25th annual Buddy Walk on Oct. 4 at Fortress Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trail, Obetz. Established by NDSS in 1995, the Buddy Walk raises awareness and funds each year for programs that serve individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
Cherry will be heading to the city to view the presentation in person in Times Square on Sept. 12. His mother, Deirdre, said her son is the kind of kid who offers friendship to everyone he meets without expecting anything in return.
“This is an opportunity for him to get that back,” she said. “I think that's one of the reasons I thought that this would be awesome if it happened for him this year, because he gets to have that feeling. When we're there, he gets to feel that acceptance.”
Reporter Kelly Tucker can be reached at ktucker@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 6 central Ohio kids with Down syndrome will light up Times Square
