New Lenox Girl To Be Featured In Times Square In New York City

NEW LENOX, IL — They say if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. Well, one New Lenox girl is about to get her chance to shine on one of the biggest stages in New York City: Times Square.

Nora Kazmierczak, 8, will have her photo featured Sept. 17 as part of a video montage for the National Down Syndrome Society, which will be followed by the New York City Buddy Walk in New York's Central Park. September is also National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Nora's photo — which was taken in Gulf Shores, Alabama, during a family vacation — was one of only 500 photos selected out of the more than 2,400 submitted for this year's video presentation, according to a news release from the National Down Syndrome Society.

"These collective images promote the value, acceptance, and inclusion of people with Down syndrome in a very visible way," The National Down Syndrome Society wrote in the release.

Nora's mother, Beth Kazmierczak, said Nora and her entire family — including father, Jim; older brother Ben, 9; and younger sister Penelope, 4 — are excited for the opportunity to see Nora on the big screens of Times Square.

Beth said the message she hopes will get across to people through the video montage for the National Down Syndrome Society and the Buddy Walk is that "It's OK to be different," and that those who have a loved one with Down syndrome should "Shout their worth."

Nora is starting third grade at Haines Elementary School in New Lenox. She has been active in New Lenox-based Lincolnway Special Recreation Association's summer camps, where she participates in a variety of programs, since she was 3 years old, Beth said.

Nora has also been involved with GiGi's Playhouse in Tinley Park since she was 3 years old. Nora attends a literacy tutoring program there in the fall, Beth said.

Beth said the family moved to New Lenox five years ago specifically because of the access to programs that allow for inclusivity for people of all ages and abilities.

"I really commend the Village of New Lenox for its inclusivity of individuals with disabilities," she said. "We've been very, very happy with the schools. They've been great."

People can watch a livestream of the Times Square video presentation from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 17 on the Nation Down Syndrome Society Facebook page.

Those interested in learning more about the National Down Syndrome Society and the Buddy Walk can do so by following this link.