Acts of Kindness
Teen with Down syndrome watches classmate become queen unaware she has an alternative plan
The whole school saw the queen's true colors that day.
Jenny Brown
03.29.23

Attending the Homecoming dance is a huge deal for a lot of students – but it’s on another level if you might actually walk away with a royal crown.

Chelsea Sloan is an 18-year-old senior with Down syndrome.

Naturally, she was excited after finding out that she’d been voted onto Corydon School’s homecoming court.

Pixabay - Stacey Kennedy
Source:
Pixabay - Stacey Kennedy

She was so ecstatic that she was counting down the days. She even told everyone about it.

Her doctors and therapists knew about it. She even told the receptionists in her clinic.

Chelsea prepared for the big day.

Together with her mom, she went dress shopping. She even got her nails done.


YouTube Screenshot - KCCI
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - KCCI

During the school event, something very unexpected took place.

Like with most school Homecomings, a name was announced to be the queen.

It was Katie Gassman who was voted for the title.

To everyone’s surprise, the speaker read a note from her. Katie gave it to Melanie Halferty, a teacher in the district.

On that note, she gave instructions on what to do just in case she was given the title.

Facebook - Angie Sloan
Source:
Facebook - Angie Sloan

The note read:

“I am honored to have been voted as this year’s homecoming queen, but tonight I would like to share my crown with the girl who always has a smile on her face and has overcome so many hardships. And that person is Miss Chelsea Sloan.”

As the note was being read, everyone in the gymnasium watched Katie gracefully walked over to the surprised Chelsea.

She placed the tiara on her head before giving her a warm hug.

Facebook - Angie Sloan
Source:
Facebook - Angie Sloan

In an interview with KCCI Des Moines, Katie shared:

“She is always just uplifting everybody, always smiling, coming into the school, hugging everybody. I just believe that’s royalty in my eyes, so I wanted to let her share the experience with me.”

Chelsea was over the moon after hearing what the person on the speaker said.

Facebook - Angie Sloan
Source:
Facebook - Angie Sloan

Even her mom was surprised. What happened was totally unexpected for them.

Angie Sloan, Chelsea’s mom, said:

“We didn’t expect that in the first place, but when Katie gave her crown, Chelsea was just so excited. She said to me, ‘Oh my gosh, mom. I’m queen. I’m queen!”

Facebook - Angie Sloan
Source:
Facebook - Angie Sloan

Katie’s selfless act of kindness earned tons of positive comments.

On Angie’s Facebook post, someone said:

“May this young lady continue to be blessed! And God bless the homecoming queen that made this young ladies night.”

Another one commented:

“As the mother of a Down Syndrome daughter, that is the most beautiful thing thank you for posting it”

There was also this person who said:

“Such an awesome act of kindness and compassion. This is so very awesome”


YouTube Screenshot - KCCI
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - KCCI

Katie’s action may not mean a lot to everyone.

However, for Chelsea and her family, it was a big deal.

It created a memory the young lady would be able to remember for the rest of her life.

Angie shared:

“It kind of makes you forget about all that bad stuff, and she can just focus on being a normal teen for a while. It’s just such an awesome thing to share with her. It’s life-changing.”


YouTube Screenshot - KCCI
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - KCCI

Click on the video below to see Katie crown Chelsea in front of the whole school. Also, below that is heartwarming news coverage of the story!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

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