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PEQUOT LAKES — The son of a Pequot Lakes High School graduate will appear in the bright lights of Broadway as part of a video in Times Square in New York City.
Sam Olsen, the son of Dr. Pete and Angela Olsen, of Ponte Vedra, Florida, will appear Saturday, Sept. 17, as part of the annual National Down Syndrome Society Times Square Video presentation.
The one-hour video of roughly 500 photographs includes children, teens and adults with Down syndrome from all 50 states. These collective images promote the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome in a very visible way.
Angela (Scott) Olsen, the daughter of Mick and Kris Scott - longtime area residents - grew up in the Pequot Lakes area and graduated from PLHS in 2000. Her sisters and their families live in Pequot Lakes and Brainerd.
Sam's photo was selected from more than 2,400 entries in the National Down Syndrome Society worldwide call for photos. His photo will be shown on two JumboTron screens in the heart of Times Square, thanks to the support of ClearChannel Outdoor.
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The two screens are located above Dos Caminos restaurant in Father Duffy Square. The presentation will be livestreamed on the National Down Syndrome Society Facebook page from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Central time Sept. 17.
Sam’s photo was taken by a family friend on the beach in Ponte Vedra. Sam loves playing in the sand and jumping in the waves with his big sister, Ella, 13. He plays soccer with the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville and enjoys frequent trips to Disney World.
The Times Square Video presentation will be followed by the New York City Buddy Walk in Central Park. The flagship Buddy Walk has taken place in New York City since 1995 as part of the National Buddy Walk Program.
Buddy Walk events are held in hundreds of cities across the country, as well as select international locations.
For more information about the New York City Buddy Walk on Sept. 17 or the National Buddy Walk Program, visit www.ndss.org.
