Heartwarming moment 'fearless' cheerleader with Down's Syndrome is crowned high school's homecoming queen



The coveted crown of homecoming queen is typically awarded to a high school’s most popular cheerleader.



And that’s exactly what happened at Park Hill South high school in Kansas City last Friday night. There was just one notable difference – the elected queen has Down’s Syndrome.



In a heart-warming ceremony, 19-year-old Alyssa Brubeck was announced as the 2012 homecoming queen as her proud parents and peers cheered her on.

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Winner: Alyssa Brubeck, 19, left, a cheerleader who also has Down's Syndrome, was announced as her high school's 2012 homecoming queen on Friday evening. She strikes a pose, right, with her king



Triumph: Alyssa smiles for the camera after collecting her crown and bouquet on Friday evening Delighted: Alyssa, left in her cheer leading outfit with her mother and seen right with a friend, said that she was 'happy' and 'excited' to win the homecoming queen title



After Alyssa’s name was called out, the delighted teen began jumping up and down as her friends chanted her name.

The emotional ceremony, held at the school’s football pitch, reduced everyone in the stands to tears, said one of Alyssa’s friends, Leah Smith.



Sitting among Alyssa’s supporters were her guardian parents since 2006, Michael and Cindy Small, and her 17-year-old sister, Annabelle.



When Cindy Small first heard that Alyssa had been nominated by her peers to be homecoming queen she thought it was a ‘sweet gesture.’ But, on Friday, the proud mother learnt that it was no gesture when Alyssa went onto triumph.

Proud parents: After winning, Alyssa poses for a picture with her parents Michael and Cindy Small, who have been her guardian parents since 2006 Worthy winner: Alyssa beat four other nominees to be crowned homecoming queen 2012



Small says she and her husband felt ‘just joy’ for Alyssa, who they describe as ‘fearless.’



'She was just thrilled and everyone started crying. And the cheerleaders, her friends were in the front row and they were crying and it was just amazing. Amazing,' Small told Fox 4 News.

Alyssa, who beat four other contestants to the title, was wearing a purple dress for the special occasion.



The incumbent queen said she was ‘excited and happy’ to win and explained how she was always friendly.



'Because I see all of my friends at lunch. And I say hi to them,' she told the station.



Following Friday’s ceremony, the homecoming queen and varsity cheerleader rode around in a green convertible as part of a winners’ parade.



Support: Alyssa's classmate, Leah Smith, tweeted this message of support at the end of August