GLEN ALLEN, Va. — Photos of Glen Allen High School’s homecoming game Friday and dance Saturday are going viral after student Patrick Lanzi was chosen as homecoming king.
Shelly Montante, Patrick Lanzi’s mother, emailed WTVR to let us know her son was chosen by his peers to be on the homecoming court at Glen Allen High School.
Patrick at the homecoming game. (SOURCE: Shelly Montante)
Montante credited Patrick’s classmates Caroline, Ross and Connor for taking “an active interest” in her son, who has Down syndrome, and the “essence of his awesome personality.”
“Their action is a direct reflection of who they are and what we, as a community, have to look forward to from these outstanding citizens – the future is looking very good!” she said via email.
Patrick as homecoming king (SOURCE: Shelly Montante)
Photos from the dance Saturday night show a smiling Patrick with his classmates.
“This entire experience has been absolutely incredible for our family and friends and we couldn’t be more grateful to Glen Allen and the community for this experience,” Montante said. “The people who know the story behind our journey and what we have overcome, truly understand the magnitude of this honor.”
Montante also credited Glen Allen High School for supporting her son and promoting the “qualities of all of their students, with and without disabilities.”
“My hope, as a parent of a child with special needs, is that this miraculous event serves as an example of how life should be, not only in schools, but in society at large,” Montante said. “We are all different, we all have amazing qualities, and we all have a little bit of royalty in each and everyone of us.”
When asked how she feels that her son was chosen as king, Montante said it was magical.
“Well, he’s always been my ‘little prince,’ I am just waiting to wake up from this wonderful dream,” she said.
October also happens to be Down syndrome awareness month.
