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Teen With Down Syndrome Did Not Have A Date To Prom, So Her Friends Made Sure It Was Unforgettable

April 22, 2024

Today's good news story comes from Monticello, Iowa.

Annie Schlarmann, a junior at Monticello High School, had been eagerly anticipating her first prom. Like many of her peers, she had dreams of what the evening might hold. However, her prom night turned out to be even more special than she could have ever imagined.

When Annie's friends learned that she didn't have a date for the prom, they decided to take matters into their own hands to ensure her night would be memorable.

Annie (center) / Credit: KWWL 7

"We heard that Annie didn't have anyone to go with for prom, and we thought it would be so fun to make her night special," said Maria McCarthy, one of Annie's close friends. "So, we all got together, and we got to do so much fun stuff, like we went out to eat, we went axe throwing, and we got ice cream."

For Annie's mother, Sue Schlarmann, this gesture meant the world.

"As the mother of a child with Down syndrome, this was everything I could hope for," Sue shared. "When you have a child with a disability, you're always hoping they're going to get the same opportunities as your other children. To have Annie's friends show such genuine kindness and invite her to prom is truly something special."

Touched by the evening's events, Annie struggled to hold back tears as she shared her feelings.

"I had a lot of fun last night because my friends are nice to me, and I love them," Annie said. "They mean a lot to me."

Watch the good news video below.