Brighten Your Day

Student couple with down syndrome win prom queen and king

July 3, 2012

Meghan Latini and her boyfriend of 4 years, Brendan Higgins, won prom queen and king at Huntington High School in Long Island, New York. Both Latini and Higgins were born with down syndrome.

The couple accepted their crowns after winning by a landslide. All of their fellow classmates were rooting for them to win since their nomination.

The two were born only a few months apart, and have been classmates since pre-school. According to their parents, they always wanted to date, but the parents insisted they were too young. After they were a little older, they let it happen and they have been so good to eachother ever since.

"Our most favorite thing is going to the movies," said Latini. "Brendan knows every single movie and he tells me about them. He would know what’s coming out soon. My favorite thing about Brendan is how much he loves me. He makes me feel special and beautiful."

Although becoming prom queen and king might be their biggest win, Latini and Higgins also won best couple in the school yearbook.

"I've been going to school with Meghan and Brendan since kindergarten," said Annie Coffey, a fellow classmate. "When you get to discover the amazing people they really are, it was just so easy to want it for them really badly. To see them get that moment, it was absolutely incredible."

It's a blessing to have so much support from your peers. Students at that age can be rude and disrespectful to others with unfortunate conditions, but not at Huntington High.

Latini's parents always worried after she was born that she would never fit in with the rest of the world, but she has been accepted and supported by all.

Latini and Higgins both graduated and look on to the future. Next year they are both participating in a job training program in Long Island.