Teen With Down Syndrome Surprised With College Acceptance Letter
"I was really excited because I didn't know if I was going to get in."
— -- One Indiana teen's overwhelmingly joyful reaction while reading her college acceptance letter has gone viral, after her mother captured the moment on video.
Mickey Deputy, 19, who has Down syndrome, was surrounded by her family on May 18 when she sat down to open a letter from her preferred college. She waited for three agonizing weeks to find out whether or not she would be accepted into Franklin College's INSPIRE program, geared toward students with special needs.
"The anticipation was building," her mother, Jenny Deputy, told ABC News.
After realizing she was accepted into the two-year program, a thrilled Mickey danced in her seat and screamed in excitement, slapping her knee. The heart-warming video has now been viewed thousands of times.
"I was really excited because I didn't know if I was going to get in," Mickey told ABC News.
"She loved school," Deputy said. "She loved learning, and she was so thrilled that she got in because there are more students than available spots."
This achievement is nothing surprising to those who know Mickey. She also wanted to become the first Miss America with Down syndrome and competed in a local division of the pageant last month. While she did not win the contest, she did receive a Spirit Award, which is like Miss Congeniality.
"Nothing has stopped her from trying what she wants to accomplish," Deputy said. "She doesn’t see anything that stands in her way."
Indiana governor Mike Pence awarded Mickey one of the state's most prestigious civilian honors, Sagamore of the Wabash, for her determination and inspiration to others in pursuing the Miss America crown.
"Its been very rare for her dad and I to tell her no you can't," Deputy said.
Mickey loves to dance and says she hopes to become a dance teacher to students with special needs. She starts her studies at Franklin College in the fall.
