Carson High Superstars
By: Brittani Keefe
As you walk the halls of Carson
High School, you can’t help but notice the influence of Maria Gonzalez
everywhere. Her photo is plastered on the walls, along with newspaper articles
about her. She stops and hugs fellow students, and teachers wave to her. She spends her free time with her
friend Ivan, going to see movies and practicing her singing. Maria Gonzalez is
a sophomore at Carson High who joined the cheerleading team this year, and also
happens to have Down syndrome.
I
went to visit Maria in school and discuss what it was like being on the
cheerleading team. Maria however, was more interested in demonstrating her
skills rather than talking about them. When I entered her classroom, Maria put
in a Justin Bieber CD and captured the attention of the whole room. As she swayed to the music and belted
out the harmonies of two of her favorite Justin Bieber songs, everyone
applauded. It didn’t take long for her best friend Ivan to join in the
performance and show off his award winning lip-syncing.
Their teacher, Karen Bianchi,
beamed as she spoke of her students’ accomplishments. While Maria reigned as
the most popular 
cheerleader, Ivan stole the hearts of everyone at their talent
show with his rendition of Lee Greenwood’s Pledge
of Allegiance, earning himself 1st place and a standing ovation
from the entire school! Ivan explained that he was nervous when he performed at
the talent show, but performing made him more confident. He would now like to
try out for basketball. Ivan’s mom
has proudly watched her son grow into an involved young man. She tells Ivan he
will be famous someday. Ivan has different plans for his future. He would like
to follow in his father’s footsteps and repair cars.
Maria also has plans for the
future, but for now she is basking in the spotlight. Maria said she loved
cheering at football games with the team, but she could barely hear because
everyone was cheering so loudly. Among the crowd at her first game, sat her
relatives, including her mother, who cried with joy as she proudly watched her
little girl not only being included with her peers, but also wildly celebrated
by the entire community.. Maria says she’s moved on from cheerleading for a new
passion; Justin Bieber. She plans to perform Justin Bieber songs upon
graduating from Carson High.
Maria and
Ivan are enjoying their newfound fame; everyone in school asks for Maria’s
autograph and for Ivan to perform for them. But their favorite part of the day
is spent with Mrs. Bianchi, the 
woman responsible for encouraging them to
branch out and share their talents with their community. When asked why
inclusion is important to them, Maria and Ivan made a heart with their hands
and held it to their chests.