RICHMOND —
Senior Chris Chen, 18, stepped out into a crowded gymnasium and took a deep bow after being crowned Homecoming king at Model Laboratory High School on Jan. 11.
He was nervous when he walked out arm-in-arm with queen Miriam Cahill, who “was so pretty,” Chen said.
His teachers, mother and classmates were in tears during a moment “that was special for everyone,” said 17-year-old Raymond White, another senior nominee.
“He deserved it for everything he’s given to this school,” said Raymond, who has been classmates with him since elementary school.
Chen has Down Syndrome, but that is only one of the things that make him special.
He can sing the words to most any country song. He can re-create all the dance routines from “High School Musical.” He is a horseback rider and he often works out at the YMCA, he said while flexing his arm muscles.
He also is “a pretty good basketball player,” said his teacher Sarah Merlin. “He practices at home, too.”
He is a better basketball player than his brother, Alex, who is a freshman on Model’s basketball team, Chen said.
He often can be seen wearing a big smile, cowboy boots (or a cowboy hat) paired with a T-shirt and basketball shorts “bumping knucks” and high-fiving with his classmates in the hallway.
“It can be 26 degrees outside and Chris is still wearing his shorts,” his teacher joked.
“So I can play basketball,” he told her.
During a senior class meeting, Raymond began talking with a group of friends about campaigning for Chen to win.
There were eight nominees for king, he said. “It would have been cool to me if I won, but I knew it would be a lot more special if Chris won.”
Although there were no guarantees that the votes would come through, Raymond talked to Chen’s teachers about arrangements for him to be at the crowning ceremony.
Raymond and his friends began vocally campaigning for him by saying “Chris Chen for Homecoming King 2013” in the hallways and in between classes.
“I felt that enough students would get behind him ― I’m so glad it happened,” Raymond said. “He’s just a good kid. He deserved it the most.”
Chris will graduate with his class this May, Merlin said. He will return to Model next year to work on his job skills.
Crystal Wylie can be reached at cwylie@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 6696.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Chris Chen, 18, right, was crowned Homecoming King at Model Laboratory High School on Jan. 11, thanks to a little help from his friends. Raymond White, 17, left, began talking with a group of friends about campaigning for Chris to win. "It would have been cool to me if I won, but I knew it would be a lot more special if Chris won," White said.
-
Chris Chen, 18, left, and Raymond White, 17, have a special hand shake that they perform when passing each other in the hallways at Model Laboratory School.
-
Chris Chen walks out onto the basketball court after being crowned Homecoming King at Model Laboratory School on Jan. 11. The queen is senior Miriam Cahill who "was so pretty, I couldn't keep my eyes off her," Chen said.
-
Chris Chen walks out onto the basketball court with Miriam Cahill after they were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at Model Laboratory School on Jan. 11. The senior queen "was so pretty, I couldn't keep my eyes off her," Chen said.
-
Chris Chen, 18, left, was crowned Homecoming King at Model Laboratory High School on Jan. 11, thanks to a little help from his friends. "I felt that enough students would get behind him" I'm so glad it happened," said Raymond White, a senior Model Laboratory. "He's just a good kid. He deserved it the most."
-
Chris Chen walks out onto the basketball court after being crowned Homecoming King at Model Laboratory School on Jan. 11. The queen is senior Miriam Cahill who "was so pretty, I couldn't keep my eyes off her," Chen said.
-
Chris Chen, 18, right, was crowned Homecoming King at Model Laboratory High School on Jan. 11, thanks to a little help from his friends. Raymond White, 17, left, began talking with a group of friends about campaigning for Chris to win. "It would have been cool to me if I won, but I knew it would be a lot more special if Chris won," White said.
Model students rally behind one nominee
- Local News
-
-
White Hall teachers say farewell for the summer
White Hall Elementary kindergarten assistant Patti Von Fischer said she found a poem on the Internet that seemed to fit the last day of school perfectly.
“The teachers jumped out of the windows; the principals ran for the door; the nurse and librarian bolted; they’re not coming back anymore,” Von Fischer read over the loudspeaker Friday before students left for the summer. -
Benson will be state’s third highest paid university president
When Michael Benson begins his tenure as the 12th president of Eastern Kentucky University on Aug. 1, his $400,000 salary plus benefits will make him Kentucky’s third-highest paid state university president.
Benson’s pay will be less only than that of Eli Capilouto, president of the University of Kentucky, $500,000 a year, and Gary Ransdell, president of Western Kentucky University, $423,588 a year, according to figures obtained from the state Council on Post-secondary education. -
Richmond post troopers recognized at annual ceremony
The Kentucky State Police announced the 2012 Trooper of the Year, Detective of the Year, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer of the Year and other awards for acts of bravery, life-saving, professionalism and dedication to duty Friday at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort.
-
Second-grade classroom receives recognition for reading nearly 1,400 books
A project at Mayfield Elementary School has received recognition across state lines from a woman who found a balloon released in celebration of one classroom having read more than 1,000 books.
Second-grade teacher Wanda Wilson started the school year by challenging her 22 students to read a total of 1,000 books by the end of the school year. -
Pets of the Week
This week's cat is an 8-week-old female kitten. This week's dog is 1-year-old Nicki, a spayed female who does not care for horses, according to her previous owner.
-
Father/Daughter Dance is June 14 at RAAC
Dads and daughters will take to the dance floor Friday, June 14, for the second annual Father/Daughter Dance to benefit the Hope’s Wings Domestic Violence Program.
The ball will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Richmond Area Arts Center, 399 W. Water St. -
Three Richmond thefts reported Tuesday-Thursday
Richmond police are investigating thefts reported from Tuesday through Thursday.
An employee of Baptist Health, Eastern Bypass, reported Thursday that her vehicle had been broken into during the evening and a small shoulder purse was stolen. The purse contained several debit/credit cards, $70 in cash, and a Pantech slider cellular telephone. Estimated loss: $595. -
Paul plans re-election bid for U.S. Senate in 2016
Republican Rand Paul will run for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2016 regardless of any decision to launch a presidential bid. And he will campaign for his Kentucky colleague and Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2014.
-
‘Etta May’s On Her Way’ for Model Lab benefit
Laughter will fill Eastern Kentucky University’s Keen Johnson Ballroom June 8 when southern comedienne Etta May comes to town for Model Laboratory School’s first annual fundraising event.
Half of the ticket proceeds will be donated to help five Model programs: Scholarships, gifted programs, the arts, athletics and extended field trips or exchange programs, said school psychologist Ellen Rini. -
Court hearing reveals errors in trafficking case’s investigative file
A discrepancy in police records led to an unusual hearing in a drug trafficking case Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
The attorney for 49-year-old Carla Rae Clontz made a motion earlier this month for a bill of particulars hearing. Both the prosecution and defense attorneys had noticed problems with the file numbers in Clontz’ case, and there also were different reports of the number of pills sheriff’s deputies allege were found in her home. - More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
