Lima Senior DECA students are back again this year with their project to support Down Syndrome.
The project is called Spread Jada's Joy and is dedicated to Jada Hood, a two-year-old with Down Syndrome. For the second year, the DECA students will be taking part in the annual Buddy Walk. The walk is put on in Lima by the Down Syndrome Association of Western Ohio and is just one of many Buddy Walks that are put on throughout the country. The walk celebrates those with Down Syndrome and encourages understanding, something that the Lima City students are helping to promote thanks to their connection with Jada.
"Last year it was more introductory and this year it's more about spreading awareness and our theme this year is 'more alike than different' to kind of highlight that not only kids with Down Syndrome but kids with other developmental disabilities are more alike to us than they are different," explained Darian Slaise, Lima Senior Student.
"It made me want to support it because we went to the Buddy Walk and I walked with them and I talked to a lot of people that was born with Down syndrome. It means a lot to me because last year three girls, they inspired me to do this project because I helped out a lot, and when we went to state last year I helped support them a lot through thick and thin," said Ryan Moore, Lima Senior Student.
This year's Buddy Walk will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the shelter house at the top of Cole Street in Faurot Park. Those interested can register the day of the event.
