September 16, 2015
Four Montgomery County Residents to be Featured in the Bright Lights of Times Square in New York City in the Annual Video Presentation by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
Julia Dmytryk, Nate Hoenig, Evan Rothholz and Ryan Van Buskirk to Help Kick Off Down Syndrome Awareness Month in Unique Video Presentation this Saturday
NEW YORK, NY – Four Montgomery County youths will appear in the bright lights of Broadway on Saturday, September 19, as part of the National Down Syndrome Society’s (NDSS) annual Times Square Video presentation. The featured photographs highlight children, teens, and adults with Down syndrome, reminding the world in a very big way about the contributions and milestones of people with Down syndrome. These collective images promote the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome, which is the mission of NDSS.
The photos of Julia Dmytryk (8 years old of Souderton), Nate Hoenig (8 years old of Lansdale and 3rd grader at Gwynedd Square Elementary), Evan Rothholz (4 years old of Harleysville) and Ryan Van Buskirk (age 1 of Bridgeport), who happen to have Down syndrome, were selected from over 2,000 entries in the NDSS worldwide call for photos. Over 450 photographs will appear in the video, which will be shown in the heart of Times Square.
Julia is dressed up for her 3rd dance recital. Nate is celebrating his three gold medals at his first Special Olympics swim meet. Evan is pictured with his cousin Andrew Afflerbach at one of their soccer games sharing a special moment. Ryan is celebrating his first birthday surrounded by his loving family
“We’re so excited to have our members helping to show the world how people with Down syndrome are involved and valued members of their community. There is so much work still to be done to make sure that people with Down syndrome are included in schools, the workforce and society as a whole,” said Sandy Katz, board member of Montgomery County Down Syndrome Interest Group.
The Times Square Video presentation kicks off Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October. The video presentation will be followed by the 21st Annual Flagship Buddy Walk® in New York City. This year, Buddy Walk® events will be held in more than 275 cities across the country, as well as select international locations, in and around October with over 300,000 people participating around the globe. For information about the NDSS National Buddy Walk® Program, visit www.buddywalk.org or call 800-221-4602.