Our Friend Sam Rogers Takes Northman Crown at Shawnee Mission North

"Mom, I won, I won!  I won Northman!  Best night ever!  I love North!"” Sam reacted when seniors at Shawnee Mission North named him Northman, a coveted title by any high schooler’s standards.

Sam’s mother Kelly Rogers was just as excited when sam called to tell her the news, “I was thrilled and cried when Sam was nominated and was in the top 20 nominated young men.”

When Sam’s friends nominated him, he was so excited, but that only made him want to win more. For Kelly, Sam had already won, “In my eyes, Sam ‘won’ just by being nominated. I was thrilled that the seniors at North thought so much of Sam that they would nominate him and vote for him for Northman.”

Similar to Homecoming or Prom King at other Schools, Northman begins with the Top 20 nominations. Those are narrowed down to 10, the top 3, and finally the winner.

When SMN announced the Top 3 nominees at a basketball game, Sam was ecstatic, and everybody but Sam seemed to know that he had the competition in the bag.

At a school assembly Shawnee Mission North seniors voted Sam to victory as Northman, officially. Sam’s reaction? Pure joy. See for yourself. The moment before Sam was announced the winner his fellow nominees were anticipated his reaction, pointing, looking, etc.

Sam's sister, a teacher, found out about Sam's nomination from the Down Syndrome Guild's Facebook, while she was at school. "I think she screamed! She was so excited!" Kelly remarks.

College life may be around the corner, but Sam is not in a hurry to move on from high school. He’s loved his experience at SMN. Kelly can see why, “He truly loves going to school at North.  The student body there is so accepting of people's differences and always has been.  Sam has really been embraced there by the other students.  There are some of the most amazing, kind,caring and compassionate young people at North. It has really been a joy to experience. It has been a wonderful community for Sam.”

Outside of school he likes to play video games, watch Disney Channel. One of his favorite people in the whole world is his brother in law, Brock. Kelly says, “The two of them play video games and do all kinds of stuff together. He likes to play basketball, play outside, normal kid stuff.”

In the future Sam plans to attend a technical school that provides job skills and life skills. He’ll be eligible until he’s 21, so his mother plans for him to study there until then. Sam’s looking forward to going to college after that, but for now he’s enjoying his reign as Northman.

Congrats Sam!

Congrats Sam!

Save the Date, 12th Annual Wine Tasting & Auction Underway

We laughed. We auctioned. We drank wine last year at the 11th Annual Wine Auction at Shook Hardy & Bacon, one of our best years yet. In April, we plan to have all the fun, see some new faces, and enjoy wine once again.

Some of our favorite moments from last year.

Chris and Carissa were dressed to the nines. 

Everyone wanted a photo op.

Dean & Deluca catered, and we ate every last bite. 

We laughed. 

We saw some friendly faces and learned about their loved ones. 

Thanks to the support of the First Downs for Down Syndrome Community and the Down Syndrome Guild of Kansas City, we enjoyed a simply incredible evening. We were also able to raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City and for the annual prom.

Save the Date now.
Thursday April 16, 2015. 6-9pm
Shook, Hardy, & Bacon Law Firm
2555 Grand

If you attended the Annual Wine Auction last year, then you know you won't want to miss it this April. If you've never been able to make it, 2015 is your year to join the Kansas City City Chiefs and hundreds of your favorite Kansas City friends of the Down Syndrome community.

For tickets and a list of the wonderful sponsors who make this happen, go here.

Cheers, and see you in April!

Happy New Year! Hello, 2015.

We hit the green, auctioned, caught up with friends, and watched the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014. Thanks to your love and support of First Downs for Down Syndrome, 2014 turned out to be one of the best years yet.

We are so thankful for all the enthusiasm to each event we hosted this year. That wine auction seems like years ago, and here we are in 2015 getting ready to host the next one.

We stepped up for Down Syndrome at the annual walk at Arrowhead. You all showed just how big a sense of community and care families affected by Down Syndrome truly have here in Kansas City and even in the Midwest.

The Kansas City Chiefs accompanied you and your kiddos at KFC's around town to make a few little ones' (and adults!) dreams come true.

What an incredible year you have made 2014. We look forward to hosting even more awesome events in 2015, creating more memories together, and of course, changing the way people see Down Syndrome.

Happy New Year!

---First Downs for Down Syndrome

Holiday Concert Series Featuring Oleta Adams, Chris Mann & The Kansas City Symphony

It's that time of year again: baking cookies, buying gifts, and throwing parties are just a small bunch of activities on your to-do list this season. Take a break from all the hard work the holidays can bring to just relax and celebrate the season. The Kauffman Center and First Downs for Down Syndrome bring you one such event to get you in the holiday spirit.


Known for his success on The Voice, Chris Mann will work his vocal magic at the 4th Annual Holiday Concert Series. Along with Mann, soulful vocalist Oleta Adams will come together with the Kansas City Symphony tonight to perform Holiday classics in honor of First Downs for Down Syndrome. Don't miss this unique combination of artists in support of a worthy cause.

See you tonight, and Happy Holidays!

#Giving Tuesday

To celebrate #GivingTuesday we invite you to think about GIVING to those in need. Sometimes this is not always a family member or friend, but an organization like ours that thrives on your support and involvement. We invite you to donate money to First Downs for Down Syndrome this holiday season. Pledge to advocate, volunteer or donate. 

What is #GivingTuesday?

First came Black Friday. Next came Cyber Monday. Finally, #GivingTuesday. Christmas and Thanksgiving are meant to spend with loved ones. They’re meant to celebrate the love and gratitude in all of our lives, but sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the gifts and parties. During this time #GivingTuesday comes to the rescue, a day dedicated to giving to those truly in need. Giving can mean three different things: advocating, donating, or volunteering. #GivingTuesday transformed into a globally recognized campaign and tradition two years ago, and this year will come to life again on December 2, 2014. 

We invite you to participate in #GivingTuesday by donating to First Downs for Down Syndrome. Remember, we are only around because of caring people like you. For over 22 years, your contributions goes directly to local Kansas City families. We cannot exist without your support, and we are so thankful for you.

Talk #Giving Tuesday with us on:

• Pinterest
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram

Thank you for all you do for First Downs. Donate now through our site OR through RAZ Mobile.

Lexi Loves the Olathe East Hawks

Our friend Lexi got a little surprise at the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk at Arrowhead Stadium last week. Lexi is a huge Olathe East Hawks fan.

Lexi made her way to an Olathe East football game this season to support her favorite team.
A friend of FDFDS, Lexi loves her hawks. Running into the boys at the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk at Arrowhead made her day!

Thank you for sharing your story and being a part of First Downs! Don't forget that October is Down Syndrome Awareness month so keep that celebration going until Halloween!

Candid KC Photo Booth Works Their Magic at Arrowhead with First Downs

Thanks to you guys last Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium brought in thousands of people from around Kansas and Missouri. We raised over $400,000 and we spread Down Syndrome Awareness and love all day long. Complete with face paint, a moon bounce, plenty of food and KC Wolf the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk was one of our most successful and fun events yet.

We could not have hosted such a uniquely different event without all of you, the loving supporters of Down Syndrome. To see all our candids from the event, see the full Step Up for Down Syndrome album on our Facebook.

Our friends from Candid KC Photo Booth also did their thing as they do at a prop filled photo booth. Kids, families, and just plain adults all wanted in on the photo booth action. How could you not? Candid KC supplied oversized sunglasses, signs, mustaches and even a crown (#TakeTheCrown) for everyone getting their photo-op to hold up! The photos? Hilarious, adorable, worth a thousand + words.

Like them on Facebook to tag you and your friends in their photos. Even book 'em for your next event! Their enthusiasm and plain silliness makes every event special, but don't take it from us; the prints don't lie!

To check out all the photos and click here, and don't forget to like them on Facebook!
We are already ready for our close-up again, Candid KC Photo Booth! Thank you for coming out and supporting First Downs!