A Pennsylvania high school student’s simple act of kindness turned a homecoming celebration into an unforgettable moment that left students and teachers emotional.
During a districtwide pep rally at Mahanoy Area High School in Schuylkill County on Friday, October 16, Keny Cedanio Ramirez was named homecoming king. But instead of keeping the honor to himself, he decided to share it with fellow nominee Axton Kuhla, who has Down syndrome.
Skook News first shared the heartwarming moment in a video that gained national attention after the outlet reported the story on Sunday, October 18.
During the ceremony, the two seniors were standing side by side with their arms around each other when Ramirez’s name was announced. After receiving his crown and sash, Ramirez walked over to Kuhla, removed them and placed them on his classmate.
The roughly 1,100 students gathered in the gymnasium erupted into applause as both boys were introduced as homecoming kings. Kuhla then wrapped Ramirez in a big hug, the Republican Herald reported on Tuesday, October 20.
“I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room. It was so beautiful and touching,” Dawn Bowers, who works in the school district’s administration office said, per the report.
According to Bowers, Ramirez had mentioned before the homecoming vote that he might give his crown to Kuhla if he won. Knowing the teenager’s character, she wasn’t surprised when he followed through.
“It’s who he is,” she said.
Kuhla, meanwhile, is well-known among his classmates for his enthusiasm on the dance floor.
“Axton is a dancing machine,” Bowers said.
Mahanoy Area High School Principal Matthew Giannelli also praised the students’ heartwarming exchange.
“The crowd loved it,” he said, per the Republican Herald. “It was an incredible thing. Very heartwarming.”
For Bowers, one of the most meaningful parts of the celebration was knowing that students from kindergarten through 12th grade were there to witness the gesture.
“That’s the biggest lesson that our students will learn all year,” she said, the outlet reported.
The Golden Bears have a long history of school pride, but Ramirez and Kuhla gave their classmates something especially memorable to celebrate. As Bowers put it, “We’re a small district, but we have a big heart.”
This story Pennsylvania Homecoming King Shares His Crown With Classmate Who Has Down Syndrome in Viral Video first appeared on First for Women. Follow First for Women on Yahoo so you don’t miss what’s coming next.