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Dreams do Come True!
SOTX – Beaumont area athlete, Bailey Elliott, is celebrating a milestone! She graduated from Lumberton High School on May 29! She was able to "walk" with the 2010 Senior Class but will remain in school until she is 22 because of her intellectual disability. Bailey has been with the same group of students all through school and they recently pulled together to not only vote her onto the royal prom court, but to also crown her Prom Queen! Read on. For years, Bailey dreamt of being prom royalty. As prom season approached, she came closer to her dream and was adamant about making it come true. In the weeks leading up to prom, being crowned queen was one of her top priorities! Living up to her reputation of being very persistent, her mom became concerned that Bailey's heart would be broken. Every time they talked about prom, Bailey would tell her mom that she was going to be queen because she was praying about it. Her mom assured her that the other girls were probably praying too! Bailey's mom gave her the 'how much of an honor it was to be chosen by her peers to be on the court and that no matter who won she was to be happy for them' speech. But Bailey replied, "Mom, it is ok, I am going to be the Queen. I have been praying for this my whole life and God is going to make me queen." …And the rest is history. Bailey's date for the evening was Brandon Beach, whom she met three years ago at a Region 5 Valentine's Day Dance for students with intellectual disabilities. They have been friends every since. Bailey has always been in Special Education classes for her core subjects, but has managed to take at least one or two "regular" classes each year so that she would be able to interact with everyone, not just other children with intellectual disabilities. Her mom said the Lumberton school staff and students have done a wonderful job of making her feel important and included. She is the softball "manager" for the girls' varsity team and attends some of the home games. At a recent powder puff football game, Bailey carried the ball twice for a first down each time and made several plays on defense. The entire team surrounded her and ran down the field with her so that the opposing team could not get her flags! Outside of school, Bailey rides her horse, Lightning, in the Special Olympics Texas Equestrian Competitions and even competed in State Finals. She recently won two 1st place buckles at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Top Hands Handicapped Horse Show and two gold medals at the regional competition in Madisonville. Congratulations, Bailey!
Ramonica Jones |
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