ZCHS students vote with their heart for Homecoming Princess
By Kelly Matthews
Look closely at Zionsville’s Homecoming Princess for 2013. See anything different?
AnnCatherine Heigl is a Freshman Princess. Her resume boasts the usual activities – cheerleader, tennis team and choir member. She is even studying Spanish. She is described by friends as sweet, kind, and a good student who loves Taylor Swift and appreciates a killer mani-pedi. AnnCatherine also has Down syndrome.
On Homecoming night, many people in the crowd blinked back tears as AnnCatherine was escorted by her siblings across the football field. A young fan in the stands heard the roar as AnnCatherine’s name was called and asked his mother if the queen had just been crowned. It was that loud.
“Not yet,” the mother told him, “just a very special princess.” A special princess with a lot of fans. As AnnCatherine finished her walk across the field, she was met by a screaming group of girls holding signs that read, “We love AnnCatherine.”
The Heigl’s are a close knit, supportive and protective family. Sister Lillie says she just couldn’t keep it together when a teacher informed her that AnnCatherine had been voted Freshman Homecoming Princess.
“I started to cry,” Lillie says, “and then AnnCatherine started to cry, too. Our parents didn’t stand a chance when we called them!”
As the family was celebrating, a friend asked parents Laura and John if they ever dreamed that AnnCatherine would be a Homecoming Princess. “Are you kidding?” Laura said tearfully, “We were just hoping she would be able to walk and talk.”
The family said a huge celebration was held when AnnCatherine learned to ride a bike. She didn’t stop there. At football games, she is in uniform cheering on the team, and the Heigl family is out in full force cheering for her. Siblings Lillie, Mari and Tim describe AnnCatherine as “beautiful on the inside, loving and a kind person.” Her mother, Laura, says AnnCatherine knows she has Down syndrome (and doesn’t particularly like it) but that she works hard to fit in with her friends and fellow students.
“She just tries so hard at everything she does,” Laura said.
Laura explained that her daughter understands that being elected to Homecoming Court is a huge honor, but does not understand the significance of a person with Down syndrome being chosen in general.
“We hope other families who have a child with Down syndrome will be encouraged by AnnCatherine’s honor,” Laura said, “That they will have hope that their child can have a fun and fulfilling life.”
As AnnCatherine’s name was called Homecoming night, her sisters and brother proudly walked with her. “Lillie and Mari had tears streaming down their faces from the start,” Laura said, “and Tim was trying so hard not to cry that he looked like he was in pain!”
“It was so exciting,” said AnnCatherine, “I had so much fun.” She was beaming, her face alight with excitement. “I love the little crown and the sash that says I’m a princess,” she said, “I’m really, really happy.”
Her sister Lillie says AnnCatherine used to be afraid to go in front of crowds, but not anymore. “AnnCatherine loves crowns and pretty dresses,” Lillie said, “but she is much more than that – a good example of fine character and a great representative of the Zionsville freshman class.”
Even though one of her brother’s friends teasingly calls AnnCatherine a punk, now AnnCatherine is quick to correct the offender.
“I am a princess,” she said, smiling widely.
AnnCatherine is not the first young woman with a disability to be honored by her peers on Homecoming night. This year at Noblesville, senior Lauren Woodrum was elected queen. She is legally blind. At Butler Traditional High School near Louisville, Ky., Jamesha Beard got the nod. She struggles with developmental delays. In Texas last year, another young lady with Down syndrome, Mariah Slick, was elected queen.
“Could it be that young people are starting to vote with their hearts?” asked a parent in the stands last Friday night as she wiped her eyes. “Can they see that the more love and understanding we show others, the happier we can be?”
Meet Princess AnnCatherine
Age: 14
Born: Zionsville
Family: John (49), Laura (49), Tim (20), Lillie (17), Mari (12)
AnnCatherine loves to cheer, be with friends, Friday popcorn/movie night, tennis, Facebook, iPhone and texting.
“They (the freshmen class) gave her a gift and memory that will last a lifetime,” Laura said, “Every special needs parent prays for acceptance and understanding for their child so I was excited for AnnCatherine but proud of her freshmen class. What a tremendous group of kids with amazing character.”
Hail Mary!
Homecoming Queen Mary Mulligan crowned
After AnnCatherine and her fellow princesses took their places along with the sophomore and junior royalty, the thrills just kept on coming. As the candidates for queen took the field, cries of “Hail Mary!” echoed around the stadium, especially from the seniors. It looked like the student body had made up its mind before the winner was even announced.
“Homecoming is no longer just a popularity contest,” one student said. “All the girls in the running for queen are beautiful, talented and accomplished.”
Another student added, “But this year we were looking for something more. Mary is the real deal – nice and agreeable but seriously hilarious.”
Queen Mary did not disappoint. As her name was announced as Queen, Mary and her escort Thomas Mattingly suddenly, surprisingly and very unexpectedly “busted a move.” Together, they broke into an 80s dance classic – the Robot. The student body and crowd roared and students shot a white cloud of baby powder into the air – apparently a 2013 student seal of approval.
