Mark Leon Stepped Up for Down Syndrome Mark Leon and the walk for Down Syndrome. - K'Loni Schnabel Advertising Sunday, September 23, 2012 By K'Loni Schnabel The 16th annual Step Up For Down Syndrome Walk was held on September 23, 2012 in Downtown Denver’s City Park. People came together to raise money for those with Down Syndrome and also enjoy each other’s company. This year was the third year that Dakota Ridge’s football team has joined their manager Mark Leon in his walk. Mark is a student at Dakota Ridge who has down syndrome, but never lets it stop him. He never misses a thing. “Everyone at Dakota knows Mark, he’s such a cool kid,” states Rylie O’Keefe. All around, the walk was pretty successful. Their goal was to raise $275,000 and they raised $242,744, which is still a lot of money to help services and programs for Down Syndrome. One out of every 691 babies born in this country is a baby born with down syndrome, and the walk was a great way to help them out and open people’s eyes about this cause. As for Dakota Ridge’s Mark’s Sharks, they met their goal with winning the largest high school team in the walk for the second year in a row. “It was great walking with Mark and going up on the stage with him and seeing how happy he was that we won again,” said Josh Cohn. Along with the walk, Mile Hile Down Syndrome Association had a talent show so the participants could show off their skills. The shows were awesome and varied from karate and singing, to even dancing.   It was inspiring to watch the kids with Down Syndrome enjoy themselves and entertain everyone with their talent and the big smiles on every one of their faces. The 2012 Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk was enjoyable for all and quite a success.

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