Evan has special needs. He has Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome means that he has an extra chromosome.  He has three chromosome 21’s which means he may learn a little bit slower than someone who doesn‘t have Down Syndrome. He does things like walk and talk but he does it in his own time. We are very lucky because he is very healthy. Most kids born with Down Syndrome are not as healthy as he is.  Sometimes they have breathing or heart problems. 

Evan is getting Early Intervention Services. Early Intervention Services are for kids with special needs. It is designed to teach them age appropriate skills.  He gets speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and special instruction.  That means people who work with kids with special needs  come to our house and spend time with Evan.  They teach him every day skills he needs to know. 

My mom doesn’t like it when you say Down Syndrome people, she prefers when people say people with Down Syndrome.      

I love my baby brother a lot. I love to play with him, I love his smile, and I love his laugh.  Evan loves to play.  He will wrestle, play cars, dance, do ring around the rosie, and sometimes he chases me.  He loves to cuddle and snuggle.  He loves kisses and hugs.  Evan loves to eat.  When he sees my mom cooking he yells because he wants food.  Evan is like any other child, he just needs a little more help than children without special needs.  So, before you make fun of someone with special needs you should think of how you would feel if you had special needs and someone made fun of you.  It is easier to get to know a person than to make fun of them.  I would not change anything about my baby brother because he is very special to me and my family. 

And just like my mother says, “All Children Are Special.”                      

My Friend with Down Syndrome by Jared Gregor
Did you know that one out of every 800 people have Down Syndrome? One of them is my friend Nicholas Izzo. When you see him, he may only look like he is three or four but he is really nine years old!

Most people can’t understand Nick, so that makes them think he can’t understand them, But he can! For example if I ask him to play a video game with me, he will come play with me.

Nick is in a Down Syndrome group. His Down Syndrome group meets every once in a while, with other kids that have Down Syndrome. They do fun activities like they draw pictures, play with toy cars, play ball, and watch movies.

Don’t worry Down Syndrome is not a cold, virus, or disease. You have to be born with it.

In the beginning I sort of ignored Nick, but last summer I found out he likes to play and do some of the same stuff as me and my brothers. Nicholas likes to watch SpongeBob and ride in a wagon. Nick is not a boring kid that just sits around all day.

Nick likes to do some funny things too. He once road a skateboard on his brother’s back. Nick has a twin brother named Jason, and a younger sister named Rosemarie. They do not have Down Syndrome. He likes to play with his brother and sister.

Nick’s mom said, “She said Kids with Down Syndrome may look different on the outside, but on the inside they are the same. They can think, they have feelings, they can be happy, they can be sad.”

You should not think that kids with Down Syndrome are scary, maybe next time you see someone with Down Syndrome you should hang out with them. 

Third Place Winner is Anthony Raus, an 8^th grader at Alognquin Middle School in Averill Park.

Kids are Special by Anthony Raus
All kids are special in their own way.
Some are black, white, Asian and other races.

We are different sizes, shapes and ages and we all have different talents and like different things.

Some may be slower than others but that doesn't matter because they are getting the help they need.

Though there are some kids with disabilities they are just like you and me and should be treated the same way.

If we were all alike the world would be a boring place.

All kids are special and I am glad for that.