Shining in the Center of the World: Laker Alum and SLHS Teacher Erika Valencia Advocates for Inclusion as Daughter Takes Times Square

Standing in the glowing heart of New York City’s Times Square, surrounded by thousands of cheering families, Spring Lake High School Spanish teacher Erika Valencia witnessed a moment that will stay with her forever. High above the bustling pavement on two massive adjacent jumbotron screens, the face of her toddler daughter, Scarlett, radiated across the city.

Scarlett was one of just over 500 individuals with Down syndrome selected from more than 2,700 international submissions to appear in the National Down Syndrome Society’s (NDSS) annual NYC Buddy Walk Video presentation on September 12. The moment  prepared others for National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, celebrated every October, by declaring to the world the beauty, value, and dignity of individuals with an extra chromosome.

For Valencia—a 2012 Spring Lake High School graduate who returned to her alma mater in 2023 to teach Spanish—the moment was far bigger than a photo on a screen.

"It was an unreal, unbelievable, incredible moment," Valencia shared. "Of course it was amazing to see our daughter on the jumbotron in Times Square—but then to also be surrounded by thousands of people celebrating her extra chromosome and cheering her on was really what made it so special. Navigating the world as a parent to a child with an intellectual disability often feels like living on another planet from everyone else. This event allowed us to come together and shout from the rooftops the beauty, joy, and color these individuals bring to our lives." 

Joy in Motion

To know Scarlett is to understand why her image captured the attention of a national committee. Sassy, expressive, and deeply motivated by human connection, Scarlett lights up any room she enters—especially when surrounded by other children.

Whether she is listening to her favorite song, "Wheels on the Bus," playing pat-a-cake, or listening to her mom and dad read books aloud in Spanish, Scarlett approaches her world with an infectious enthusiasm.

"She could be surrounded by all the most fun toys, but if she is near other people, she is only interested in the people," Valencia said. "She gets unbelievably excited around other kids. She flaps her arms, opens her eyes so big, and babbles loudly from excitement. It is impossible to be near her and not feel the joy radiating from her."

Reframing Perspectives in the Classroom and Beyond

As educators and communities observe National Down Syndrome Month this October, Valencia hopes to demystify what it means to live with an extra chromosome. Her message to the broader Laker community is rooted in simple, everyday humanity.

"People with Down syndrome are just people who happen to have Down syndrome," Valencia emphasized. "Like everyone else, they have likes, dislikes, dreams, and desires. They have different strengths and challenges, just as we do. If you've met one person with Down syndrome, you've met one person with Down syndrome. They are all unique individuals who are worth getting to know." 

Becoming Scarlett's mom has profoundly shaped Valencia’s work inside the walls of Spring Lake High School. It has deepened her empathy and reinforced her commitment to ensuring that every student who walks into her classroom feels a sense of unconditional value and belonging.

"In the classroom, it has ignited a stronger drive in me to see real inclusion among students who are neurodivergent or don't 'fit in' the way others expect them to," Valencia said. "I want all students to feel a deep sense of belonging and to know that they matter here, just as I hope Scarlett feels that someday in her future classrooms."

Building a Culture of True Belonging

When asked how communities can move beyond basic awareness toward meaningful, everyday inclusion, Valencia points to a fundamental mindset shift—one that moves from asking whether a person can participate to asking how a community can adjust to ensure they do.

"Practically, I would love her to grow up in a community that doesn't ask, 'Can she do this?' but instead, 'What does she need so she can participate?'" Valencia explained. "I want her to not just be invited to the room, but genuinely belong there. Investing as a district in our paraprofessionals and special education teachers is essential, alongside programs that promote inclusion like unified sports and peer mentoring. How can we best support those with diverse abilities? Be a community where they are expected to belong from the beginning."

Step Up This Saturday: Join the DSAWM Celebration!

Laker families looking to celebrate inclusion and support local advocacy have an immediate opportunity to do so this weekend.

The Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan (DSAWM) is hosting its annual Step Up for Down Syndrome event—the largest Down syndrome awareness gathering and fundraiser in Michigan—this Saturday, October 3, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Held at the Special Olympics of Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center in Grand Rapids, the carnival-style afternoon features games, prizes, food trucks, resource booths, music, and a ceremonial walk bringing together over 1,000 community members.

To learn more about the event, join a team, or register to attend, visit the DSAWM Step Up Event Page.