Teen with Down syndrome elected HS Homecoming King

From the Great Falls Tribune in Montana:

CHOTEAU, Mont. — His fingertips grazing the ground, Jesse Campbell eyed the defensive lineman across from him, ready to pounce.

The 19-year-old senior is a proud Choteau Bulldog — and a huge football fan — but
until Friday night, he had never made it on the field.

Born with Down syndrome, Campbell isn't on the team. However, he had a chance to win a title of his own Friday — homecoming king.

When her son was born, Cathy Campbell cried, both in joy and shock. She and her husband, Joe, had no idea what Jesse's life would be like.

"I thought he'd never have friends. He'll never play football. He'll never go to prom. He's done all that," Cathy Campbell said.

Now in his senior year, Jesse Campbell spends half his day in school and the other half working either by helping clean the school or at Front Range Supply.

He studies math and English with other special-needs students, and is in choir and physical conditioning classes with the rest of his classmates.

Students can't help but see him as he collects attendance sheets and sells cookies and candy between morning classes at a shop he's named Campbell's Crunchies. He's also known for running down the halls to give friends a high five or a bear hug.

"He doesn't have a best friend — he's everybody's best friend," said Lorran Depner, his choir teacher since elementary school.

A few weeks ago, the names of all 22 seniors were placed on a ballot for the entire student body to pick their four favorite girls and boys to vie for homecoming royalty.

Few were surprised when Campbell's name made it to the top.

"He's been such a part of his class," senior class adviser Eva Anseth said. "We would have been disappointed if he wasn't a finalist."

While other students may drag themselves to the senior class meetings, or skip them entirely, Campbell is at every one — often early.

He also attends every home game for every sport, proudly wearing maroon and gold.

During his junior year, Campbell excitedly donned a jersey to pretend to be a football player on the class float.

This year, when others painted signs and stapled fluffy gauze to the winter-themed class float, he was too anxious to concentrate on that task.

Instead, he tossed a football around with the players.

The head football coach gave Campbell a maroon jersey to wear — his was number 59 — just like the other king candidates.

"He gives you high fives when you come off the field," fellow nominee Zach Birnel said. "He gives 110 percent on the sidelines. ... He smiles and he never has a bad attitude."

Birnel, a football and wrestling team captain and student council secretary/treasurer, normally would be a safe bet to be voted king. Maybe not this year.

"My money's on him," king nominee Robert DeBruycker said, nodding toward Campbell, who hung a step back and smiled shyly. "I voted for him."

Fellow nominee Ethan Haug didn't vote for himself either.

"If I won, I'd feel like a jerk because Campbell really deserves it," he said. "Everybody looks up to him. He's just fun to be with. Everybody considers him a friend."

When asked who he voted for, Campbell slyly looked both directions before pointing both thumbs at himself and grinning.

Principal Nate Achenbach said that during his tenure, other students with disabilities have been nominated for homecoming king, but none have won.

Usually, the teachers and staff don't talk too much about the contest, so as not to fuel competition or bad feelings. However, this week, few could stop speculating on who would win or whispering that Campbell was their favorite.

"I think everybody's pulling for him," Depner said. "He is so excited. Just to be out there is so exciting for him."

On Thursday night, Campbell strutted onto the court between volleyball games and received the loudest ovation when he was introduced.

"I never would have dreamed of this 19 years ago," Cathy Campbell said. "I'm one proud mom."

His older sister, Janelle, gave him a haircut and — to Campbell's chagrin — even waxed his eyebrows for the big day Friday, when the winner was announced at halftime of the football game.

After seeing his expectations build, Cathy chatted with her son after the volleyball games and bonfire to explain that he might not win.

"Oh boy," he said, his voice heaving with disappointment. Last spring, Campbell was crushed that he didn't win prom king, even though juniors aren't eligible to be nominated.

Campbell told his mom that if he lost, he would shake the winner's hand. Knowing him, there also would be a congratulatory hug or high five.

After a day of fanfare, including tug-of-war games in a mud pit, a parade and a barbecue, Campbell didn't have any reason to be let down.

He was voted king in a landslide.