A High School Quarterback Took His Friend With Down Syndrome To Prom After They Made A Fourth-Grade Pact

Ben Moser and Mary Lapkowicz have had a special bond ever since they were in the second grade. Mary has Down syndrome, but that never impacted their friendship.

“A lot of grade-school aged kids may have stayed away from my sister Mary or thought she was weird because she has Downs [sic] Syndrome. But not Ben,” Mary’s brother, Tom Lapokwicz, wrote on Facebook.

Ben’s mom Lisa told BuzzFeed News that her son was in the same elementary school class as Mary for three years.

“Ben was always the energetic kid in the class who always looked out for Mary and wanted to make sure she was included in all activities,” she said.

When they were in the fourth grade, Ben promised Mary that when they were old enough, he would take her to her prom.

Lisa Moser said her son told her he was planning on taking Mary to prom after watching his older cousin go to the dance.

The two eventually went to separate Pennsylvania high schools, but reconnected when their two schools played each other in football last year, the Patriot-News reported.

Ben remembered his promise to Mary, and decided to surprise her with a special promposal.

Mary said she was happy and surprised Ben had asked her to prom. “I was going to go with some friends,” she said.

Last week, the two got all dressed up and attended prom at Mary’s school, Central Dauphin High School. Their fourth-grade teacher even came to see them off.

The teacher, Tracey Spogli, told BuzzFeed News that she has been “truly blessed” to watch Ben and Mary over the years.

“Ben would always keep and eye out for Mary, making sure she was smiling and happy,” she said. “I referred to Mary as ‘Little Mary Sunshine’ because she was the sunshine in our classroom. The entire experience of that fourth grade year was a very positive learning experince for the entire classroom and I am so proud to have been part of it!”

Mary’s brother wrote that Ben has “put a smile on Mary’s face & restored my faith in humanity.”

Lisa Moser said that she has always taught her children to “put others first, love from their heart and stand up for what they believe in.”

“My heart just overflows with love watching (Ben and Mary) tell the story of their friendship,” she said.

She said her son has barely read all the articles about him, and is shrugging off most of the media attention. But he does have one wish.

“If you ask Ben he would say what he did wasn’t a big deal,” she said. “The only thing we are still hopeful for is Nick Jonas contacting Mary since that is her favorite musician.”