Romeoville High School prom king Maurice Booker III poses with prom queen Paulina Mucha. (Credit: Romeoville High School)
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ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (CBS) — A Romeoville man wants the world to know his son was elected high school prom king.
And as WBBM Newsradio’s Steve Miller reports, Maurice Booker Jr.’s son, Maurice Booker III, is not just any student. He has Down syndrome, but he has found widespread acceptance from his peers.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Steve Miller reports
“He knows there’s something special about him, but he feels as though he’s one of the regular kids,” Maurice Booker Jr. said.
When Maurice III was growing up, Maurice Jr. says he had doubts about his son’s future.
“Yes, there’s always been doubts, because I was a kid before, and I know kids can be cruel,” he said.
What Maurice Booker Jr. remembers is his own high school days – 20-plus years ago.
“When I was coming up, we hardly ever saw the special needs kids participate in any sports or anything,” he said.
But a lot has changed since then. Maurice III, 18, was elected Prom King at Romeoville High School last Friday.
“He came home with a crown,” Maurice’s father said. “He was happy, the staff was happy, the students were happy. Everyone was just happy.”
With so many stories about bullying, Maurice Booker the dad believes there is another side to this generation.
“I’m really proud of the classmates – the whole community – because they’ve embraced him,” he said.
Maurice Booker III, who was active in athletics, graduates next month and will begin a program aimed at working in the community.
