High school quarterback fulfills 4th grade prom pledge to friend with Down syndrome
CAMP HILL, Pennsylvania -- In the 4th grade Ben Moser promised his friend Mary Lapkowicz he would take her to prom.
Now, years later, the high school football quarter back has fulfilled his pledge to his friend with Down syndrome and taken her to prom.
The Patriot-News interviewed the two teens and their parents about the surprise. The newspaper reported that the pair had lost touch after being close friends in elementary school, but reconnected when their respective schools played each other at football.
"She talked about going to prom," Mary's father said. "I'd taken her to homecoming and stuff, but she had prom on her mind all along."
But Mary didn't know that Ben would follow up on that vow he had made so long ago.
"We got balloons and I wrote 'prom' on it," Ben said. "I presented her with the balloons and asked her to go to prom with me."
The two dressed up and attended the dance together. Mary's brother shared a photo on Facebook and wrote:
A lot of grade-school aged kids may have stayed away from my sister Mary or thought she was weird because she has Downs Syndrome. But not Ben. He always looked out for her, always made sure to pick her on his team at recess and even made a promise to her in 4th grade to take her to the prom someday. 7 years later, he made good on that promise and in the process put a smile on Mary's face & restored my faith in humanity. Have a great time at the prom you two!