Saturday May 16, 2015 was just
another stormy day for many residents of the Johnson County area, but for the
senior class of Blue Valley Northwest High School, it was so much more.
Hundreds of students donned their caps and gowns to walk across stage and receive
their diploma, ending one chapter of their lives and beginning a new one. Although
there were tornado warnings and heavy thunderstorms, none of the student’s
excitement could be dampened. This was a very special day for these high school
seniors, especially for Molly, who was born with Down syndrome.
Being
born with Down syndrome isn’t easy, and many parents worry what their child’s
life will be like, what they will accomplish, and what the future holds for
them. Not so long ago, the idea of a child
with Down syndrome graduating high school just wasn’t possible, but now parents
are given hope for their children through the success stories of people like
Molly, who is paving the way for others like her to follow their goals, no
matter what they are.
From
the moment you meet Molly, you immediately notice her kind heart and incredible
smile. She has a wonderful ability to communicate with people and make them
happy, and growing up as an only child has given her the talent of being able
to hold her own in conversations with adults. Along with being social, Molly
enjoys staying active, and has participated in the Special Olympics; her
favorite sports being basketball and soccer. She even takes ballet class with
four other girls with Down syndrome. Molly has graduated high school with an
impressive resume of activities, she was even nominated senior homecoming queen
by her peers, who all recognize Molly by her happy disposition and ability to
light up a room.
To
celebrate her many accomplishments, Molly’s family threw her a graduation party
to remember. Approximately one hundred of Molly’s family and friends came
together at Johnson Community airport hangar to celebrate her success, and she
even got to ride into her party in style. Guests waited in the hangar and Molly
was flown in by friend Johnny Rowlands of KMBC news in his helicopter, giving a
unique and memorable entrance to a unique and memorable graduate. This moment
was shared with the rest of the Kansas City area when Carleigh Peters with the
Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City posted the video of Molly arriving
to her graduation party to the STARS Facebook page.
Now that she has finished high
school, Molly, like her fellow graduates, is getting excited to begin her first
year of college. She will be continuing through the summer with an extended
school year program, and also taking some time off to see her family up in
Michigan. While there she plans on spending time at the lake, going boating,
and just spending some well-earned time relaxing with her family. When the
school year resumes, Molly will be attending the Access House, a program for
18-21 year olds through Blue Valley which teaches valuable life skills and
allows students to experience what it is like to be a part of the workforce
through hands-on job experience. She will also be attending Johnson County
Community College on Thursdays, which she is especially excited for. Molly’s
dream is to one day attend KU and become a Jayhawk. With her level of
determination, and her positive attitude on life, the sky seems to be the limit
for the things Molly could accomplish. We look forward to seeing what direction
she chooses!
