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Jefferson Forest High School names students with Down syndrome prom king and queen

Students had been planning to give the crown to Zane and Anna since February

BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – Prom is a night many high school students never forget.

They get dressed up, eat a fancy dinner, take a limo ride to the ballroom and dance the night away with friends, and of course, crown a king and queen.

The students at Jefferson Forest High School in Bedford County are setting a standard for inclusivity and it’s reaching people across the nation.

“A few students were saying, ‘Zane Wales for prom king.’ Anna and Zane have been dating since middle school,” Special Education Teacher Taylor Perkins says. “Wherever Zane is, Anna is there too. It’s fitting for them to be king and queen.”

Perkins has new royalty in her classroom. She’s Zane Wales and Anna Anderson’s teacher and has been since the senior and junior got to the high school.

“They’re such fun-loving, free-spirited people,” she says. “Anybody is lucky to know them and the school is lucky to have them.”

Perkins says the two, who love to groove, had no idea why they were being pulled from the dance floor at The Virginian that night.

Students had been planning to give the crown to Zane and Anna since February. The moment had finally come and the crowd erupted.

The king and queen are still celebrating with smiles from ear to ear.

“They’re amazing with these students. Being prom king and prom queen, people are like, ‘Can I have your autograph?’ Perkins says. “They’re just so sweet. I hope that this reaches other schools and programs to be more inclusive as well.”

Perkins adds she’s proud of the students at Jefferson High who without knowing it, went to school and taught us all a valuable lesson.

Anna and Zane say they’re feeling like movie stars.

It’s no wonder why. They’ve been featured in “People” magazine and “Fox & Friends” is coming to interview them in the coming days.


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About the Author
Kortney Lockey headshot

Kortney joined the 10 News team as a Lynchburg Bureau Reporter in May 2021.