Athens Celebrates Homecoming with an Inspirational Vote

It's a scene that has become increasingly common in recent years at high schools across America.

Last week, Troy Athens High School students held a popular vote for its homecoming court. Two students, who in another era may have been written off on the basis of the genetic disorder, Down Syndrome, which they have in common, were voted to the court with help from a student-led campaign.

Allie Hayes, a sophomore, and Sam Bright, a junior, who are going to the school dance on Saturday for the first time together, share the same qualities as any other popular couple at Athens. Sam, an assistant coach on the varsity football team, is well-suited for the sideline, with a youthful energy and a humble demeanor. Allie, who was joined on the homecoming court by sister Hannah Hayes, is charmingly demure and perpetually giggly.

This week, the Metro Detroit region has gotten to understand what the Athens community has known for some time, that the two are no ordinary couple. WXYZ-TV was at the scene of Friday's pep rally, when the students exploded for the introduction of Sam and Allie, who were later interviewed on camera.

"I like the attention, but it's nice to share it, too, with all of the people who are cheering for us," Allie said.

"It's such an honor to be here," Sam said. "I can't thank the students or the teaching staff enough."

While everyone involved is cognizant of the reasons for the extra attention, some don't find it necessary in the wake of Rochester High School's Emily Jacobs, a senior with Down Syndrome, being crowned homecoming queen earlier this month.

Allie's mother, Dawn Hayes, is a resource room teacher at the high school. She said that her attempts at showing gratitude to students this week in the context of the couple's condition have been met with a sense of surprise, as both Sam and Allie are a part of the general education population for five of their six classes every day.

"The students do not see the kids with special needs as anything but completely ordinary. They see a kid with special needs or a paraprofessional in a classroom and they don't even think twice. That's just the way the world is now and I think that's a good thing," Dawn said.

"I think that the story here is that inclusion works. That's why all of the kids know her, because she's in their classes."

Hannah added that the vote has given the students a boost in pride: "When I first found out, I thought it was so surreal. I knew that everyone supports Allie and Sam, but I didn't realize it was buzzing around the school like this. It's nice to know that your school backs you up and that they're there for you."

Varsity football coach and teacher Josh Heppner agrees. He and Sam first met three years ago, in the summer before Sam became a Red Hawk. Sam quickly made an impression and since then, he's been a trusted commodity on the sidelines.

"He keeps his faith and he keeps me positive. It puts a lot of things into perspective. Sometimes, we get caught up in wins and losses, but there's a lot of other things that go into it. Sam's earned his place on the team like anyone else," Heppner said.

It was all Heppner could do to show his appreciation. So, on Saturday night, he said, he will act as chauffeur and drive the two to the homecoming dance and back. That's the part that Allie said she is most looking forward to. Meanwhile, Dawn said she will be at home, giddily waiting to hear how it goes.

It's as normal as you would expect from homecoming at Troy Athens High School.