(New York City, NY) – Two of the giant screens in New York City’s Times Square, officially known as “Spectaculars,” will have a Wyoming connection at the 2026 National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Buddy Walk on September 12, where 15-year-old Lander girl Jorja Sparks’ picture will be featured as a part of a video presentation for the event.
The NDSS Buddy Walk in NYC is a Down syndrome advocacy event that has been going on since 1995, which “attracts participants from coast to coast each year.” 500 individuals are selected to appear in the annual video shown before the NYC Buddy Walk, held in Central Park.
Jennifer, Jorja’s mom, said she entered the contest after seeing an ad for the Walk on Facebook, thinking there was ‘no way they would pick a girl from middle of nowhere Wyoming.”
“I got an email on July 6 letting us know that out of 2700 entries, hers was chosen as 1 of 500 that will be shown in Times Square,” Jennifer shared.
Jennifer said that Jorja, who is about to be a sophomore at Lander Valley High School, is “very excited” about being selected.
“Since she started Drama Club, all she has talked about is going to New York,” Jennifer said. “So when I told her, she immediately got excited, said she couldn’t believe they picked her, and said she wanted to go see her picture in New York.”
In addition to Drama Club, Jorja’s hobbies are swimming, camping, fishing with her dad, and traveling, and she has also competed in Special Olympics, winning medals in Bowling, Snowshoeing, and Swimming.
“This trip would mean the world to Jorja and us as her parents,” Jennifer went on to share, adding that Jorja has worked hard to overcome challenges in her life. “…This would symbolize a reward for all of her hard work.”
Jennifer explained that many people think individuals with Down Syndrome are “incapable of living a meaningful, rewarding life,” but that is “simply not true.”
“Yes, there can be health challenges, cognitive and physical challenges, but with the proper support, they can live a life just like anyone else,” Jennifer shared. “Some are able to live alone, drive, go to college, get married, and most have jobs in the community they live in. And as Jorja has shown, she can overcome obstacles in life, she has hobbies and dreams for the future.”
Folks who would like to help Jorja live her dream of traveling to New York for the Buddy Walk can donate on the GoFundMe page, with all donations going toward hotel, airfare, and admission to events. They are currently at $1,800 of their $6,000 goal.
The Times Square video presentation will take place on September 12 at 8:30 AM (ET), thanks to a screen donation from Clear Channel. The Buddy Walk will then take place in Central Park from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.