Queen

Midlothian Teenager Inspires Classmates

A Midlothian teenager living with Down Syndrome has never let her challenges hold her back and it's inspired her entire class.

A senior at Midlothian Heritage High, Destiny Wells, has never been pushed by her teachers or mother to seek the spotlight. She seizes it.

A cheerleader at the football games, a dancer at the pep rallies and a greeter at school events, Destiny became the girl everyone wanted to be around.

"She'll be at the end of the hallway and if she sees you, she'll call your name and she'll run to you," said classmate Hailey Mendoza.

"Even if she doesn't know you, she'll come up and give you a hug," said classmate Bryce Goodwin.

So when Destiny was nominated prom queen, her friends felt the choice was a no-brainer, still her mother wasn't convinced.

"Is it bad if I tell you that I gave them a crown for when she didn't win? I didn't think that was going to happen. That sort of stuff only happens in after-school movies," said Wells.

But when Destiny's name was called on prom night, she owned it, screaming and jumping up and down as they placed the crown on her head.

Then, she took to the spotlight and danced the night away.

"Inclusion is something I fought for her entire school career, but I didn't have to do a whole lot. The kids [at Midlothian Heritage] did it here," said Wells.

Destiny and her friends will graduate on Saturday.

Moving on won't be easy but everyone's learned by watching Destiny embrace every moment.

"I'm not scared to do things in front of people anymore," said her friend Hailey Mendoza. "Being with her you can't really be shy."

Next year, Destiny's closest friends will attend college to become occupational therapists. Destiny will take vocational classes to prepare for her first job.

"Shes just really happy with herself," said Wells. "She's a queen anyway."

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