Special needs student voted homecoming queen at Raleigh's Millbrook High School
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- At the halftime of Millbrook High School's homecoming game Friday, senior Maggie Leahy got the news. She's the school's new homecoming queen.
"I like it! Are you happy? Yeah!" she said.
Maggie has Down syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes developmental and intellectual delays.
Her friend Addison Harman began a campaign to get her elected when she was nominated herself.
"She was very excited," said Harman. "Her favorite thing was to go tell people, and she'd run up to people in the gym and say, 'Guess what? I'm on homecoming court!'"
Maggie's mom helped her pick out an outfit for the big moment.
"If anyone had told me 21 years ago when they put that child in my arms that she would be standing here today with a crown on her head and a group of friends that wanted her to be here...no words," said Lorraine Leahy.
After the announcement, she was presented with a crown and flowers and given a ride in a bright red convertible around the football field.
Next, it was off to the homecoming dance.
