At James Clemens High School, family and consumer sciences teacher Tabitha Malone, from left, Ryann James and Emily Rochow will join their classmates and colleagues on Oct. 1 in observing Alabama Down Syndrome Day. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – On Oct. 1, James Clemens High School’s population will observe Alabama Down Syndrome Day.

Tabitha Malone’s family and consumer sciences classes have rallied this effort. Her child development class learned about the statewide observance on the news. Malone recognized the chance “to become more involved outside of book work.”

Student Mary Meyers “spoke passionately because she has an adopted sister with Down syndrome. That just boosted our excitement to do something more,” Malone said.

James Clemens Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), which Malone sponsors, and other students volunteered in the BUDS (Building Up Down Syndrome) Walk in Huntsville on Sept. 13. BUDS lobbied with other state groups for Gov. Robert Bentley’s proclamation for Oct. 1.

The James Clemens awareness theme, “Flight 21 – We fly higher with an extra wing,” “signifies the Down syndrome’s uniqueness in triplication of the 21st chromosome,” Malone said. “In short, they have three chromosomes on that 21st chromosome, unlike the majority with only two chromosomes.”

This tagline “gives students with Down syndrome the assurance to know we need each other to reach our target,” Malone said.

Teachers have encouraged the entire James Clemens population to wear blue and yellow, Down syndrome awareness colors, on Oct. 1. Third-block classes will vie for the best decorated door, which administrators will judge using a rubric (rating scale) that Malone’s class created.

All third-block classes will view a four-minute Down Syndrome Awareness video that features a few James Clemens students with Down syndrome. Students Madeleine O’Donnell and Mackenzie Swearingen created the video, produced with JetsPress’ assistance.

Malone’s students designed a T-shirt to wear during October, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. “People with Down syndrome possess a wide range of abilities and are active participants in educational, occupational, social and recreational circles of the community,” Malone said.

Approximately one in every 691 children is born with Down syndrome, or about 6,000 births annually, leading to more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States, according to the National Down Syndrome Society.