Salem woman's image part of Down syndrome program in Times Square

Renatta Signorini, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·2 min read

Sep. 22—Getting her daughter out to local events or new experiences has been a goal for Peggy Slezak.

"We've always advocated for Emma to be part of the community," she said. "I think her personality makes it easy to do that."

A much broader audience met Emma Slezak of Salem in a big way earlier this month — the Greensburg Salem graduate's big smile and red hair were flashed on a large video screen in New York City's Times Square as part of a public awareness campaign by the National Down Syndrome Society.

"I was beautiful," Emma Slezak said.

The video kicked off the society's annual Buddy Walk in New York City, and Emma Slezak's photo was one of about 500 shown during the presentation. Families sent in photos of their loved ones and society staff narrowed it down from more than 2,400 submissions, said Misty Adams, manager of community events.

"The purpose is to raise awareness and to show the world the beauty of and all the amazing abilities individuals with Down syndrome have," she said.

Emma Slezak was named Greensburg Salem's homecoming queen in 2015 and the same year won the YWCA's Sportswoman of the Year with Special Needs. She completed St. Vincent College's Bearcat BEST transitional program in 2017 and worked through Duquesne University's Best Buddies program that pairs college students with individuals who have developmental or intellectual disabilities. Peggy Slezak said her daughter represented the program in a 2018 university fundraising pageant and won Miss Congeniality.

Emma Slezak competes in several sports through Special Olympics, has done some modeling for Aerie and works a few days a week at the New Alexandria location of The Meadows, according to her mother.

The family wasn't able to attend the New York City event, but watched a live stream of it to see Emma's photo and hear her name be announced.

"It was awesome, almost a surreal experience," Peggy Slezak said. "Just to see it was larger than life."

She and Emma Slezak agreed it means a lot to them to be included in a large-scale awareness effort.

"People with Downs can be part of the community and have a meaningful life," Peggy Slezak said. "I think she's a perfect representation of that."

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta by email at rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter .