Prince of the Patriots

[Guest guest]

December 9, 2008

By Jim Feehan

McCarthy (left), a Liberty High School football team manager,

watches play from the sidelines for opportunities to provide players with

water. Breanne Faehnrich and McCarthy (right), selected as

homecoming royalty for the Liberty junior class, hit the

dance floor.

Liberty High School juniors honor

popular student at homecoming

McCarthy is a prince of a young man.

In late October, his Liberty High School classmates elected him homecoming

royalty for the junior class.

McCarthy, who lives in the China Creek neighborhood of Newcastle, outpolled

two classmates to earn the title of homecoming prince. At Liberty, the senior

class picks the homecoming king and queen among fellow seniors, while the

junior class selects a prince and princess.

McCarthy was nominated a week earlier and he felt he had a good shot at

wearing the crown. The 17-year-old special-needs student with Down syndrome

captured the hearts of his fellow students with his positive attitude and

unwavering kindness.

“When I was nominated, I just knew I was going to win,” McCarthy

said. “I was happy when my name was called.”

Elated, he raised his arm in the air and gave a fist pump as the school

assembly crowd roared in appreciation. Classmates gave him a send-off complete

with all the pomp and circumstance fit for royalty, right down to the red

carpet.

A few weeks earlier, McCarthy asked Lowes, also of Newcastle, to the

dance. Lowes, also a junior at Liberty, has been a friend of ’s since

the two were second-graders at Apollo Elementary School.

“He’s one of my best friends,” Lowes said. “He makes

me happy. Even when I’m upset, he puts a smile on my face.”

’s mother, Peggy McCarthy, said classmates have staunchly

supported him.

“The school needs to be very proud,” she said. “The

acceptance and love these kids have for him, it’s amazing.”

’s election as prince recognizes his many contributions to the

high school, notably his endlessly cheery attitude and sociability.

“When classmates pass him in the hall, it’s always, ‘Hey

, or hey, K-Dog,’” Peggy said.

A football coach his freshman year gave him the nickname “K-Dog”

and it stuck.

For homecoming, and joined three other couples. A few hours

before the dance began, they greeted with high-fives and gushed over his

look: a black tuxedo, well-shined shoes and hair combed neatly to the side. The

girls teetered in heels, coiffed hair and sparkling dresses. Digital cameras

emerged from the pockets and purses of proud parents eager to capture the

moment.

In between dinner at BJ’s restaurant in Tukwila and the dance, the

couples decided to bowl a few games at Hillcrest Bowl in Renton.

“The people at the bowling alley kept looking at us,”

said. “It’s hard to bowl in a tuxedo.”

Later that night, busted a few moves on the dance floor, much to the

delight of his classmates.

“The people cheered for me and I waved back at the audience,” he

said.

Vogel, a special-education teacher at Liberty, credits ’s

parents, Peggy and Steve, for their unwavering desire for to have a

traditional high school experience.

“It all starts with the parents, encouraging , and expecting the

best from him from day one,” Vogel said.

Classmates know as a genuine, nice, caring individual, she said.

“The kids all know him and appreciate him for who he is,” Vogel

said. “I’ve never seen anyone treat him like he’s

disabled.”

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that causes delays in physical and

intellectual development. The incidence of Down syndrome is estimated at 1 per

800 to 1,000 births, although these statistics are heavily influenced by the

age of the mother.

hopes to eventually land an internship with either the Mariners or the

Seahawks, whose headquarters is in nearby Renton. He already has experience,

serving as a manager for the Liberty varsity football team.

He leads huddle breaks at practice, giving an occasional speech to the team,

and takes water to the players during timeouts, said head football coach Steve

Valach.

“We always talk about focus, and one of ’s famous lines is,

‘C’mon, guys, focus up,’” Valach said.

In the closing seconds of the Kennedy-Liberty playoff game, offensive tackle

Troy Solly injured his ankle and was about to be carted off the field. Before

heading to the hospital, he joined his teammates during a post-game meeting in

the middle of Highline Stadium. When saw Solly, he gave him a big bear

hug.

“Through , each of us, coaches and players, are reminded to enjoy

life,” Valach said. “Don’t forget to let the little kid in

you come out every now and again.”

Written by Jim Feehan · Filed Under Schools

http://newcastle-news.com/2008/12/09/prince-of-the-patriots