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Wisconsin students with Down syndrome named homecoming king and queen

CEDARBURG, Wis. — Two junior students with Down syndrome, “called the light and spirit” of a suburban Milwaukee high school, were voted homecoming king and queen this week.

Chad and Angela attend Cedarburg High School, and fellow junior Lizzie Balsiger spent a week campaigning for her friends to make the homecoming court.

"They're always the ones who are cheering the loudest, so they deserve nothing less than to be on homecoming court," Balsiger told Milwaukee television station WITI. "They're kind of the light and spirit of Cedarburg High School."

School officials say their goal has always been to encourage the student body to embrace Chad and Angela, not only as students with Down syndrome, but also simply as classmates.

"We're all the same and we all have great traits and great gifts that we can give to the world," said Joy Conway, a special-needs teacher.

The votes were counted, and during the homecoming pep rally Chad and Angela were announced as king and queen. The two were honored again during the homecoming parade from the fairgrounds to the high school.

To top it off, Cedarburg defeated Germantown 35-28 in Friday night’s homecoming game. The celebration continues Saturday, as the homecoming dance will be held at the school.