Sophomore shines as princess

Whitefish High School sophomore Abi Kurtz got the chance to be a princess last week.

Abi was selected by her peers to serve as sophomore princess during homecoming week. She smiled as a member of the royalty at the bonfire and pep rally, and she wore her new dress proudly while being introduced to the crowd under the lights at Friday night’s football game.

“It’s good,” Abi says simply.

The 16-year-old with Down’s syndrome is an introvert much of the time, but last week she got the opportunity to shine.

Being selected princess is just one of the many positive experiences Abi has had as a student at WHS, according to her parents, Neil and Mamie Kurtz.

“I’m extremely grateful to the school for electing Abi as their princess — this says a lot about the students and their level of kindness and consideration,” Mamie said. “I can’t believe how blessed we are to go to this school.”

“That the school would accept her like that is neat,” Neil said.

Older sister Grace, who is a senior, was named homecoming queen during halftime of the football game. Grace says it’s hard for Abi to express herself, but the smile on her face throughout the homecoming appearances proves how much she enjoyed herself.

“The school is pretty accepting and inclusive,” Grace said. “I’m leaving next year for college and at least I know I’m leaving her in good hands with the other students.”

The Kurtz family moved to Whitefish last August. As any mom, but especially one of a daughter with special needs, Mamie worried about what that would mean for Abi.

“Both staff and students have welcomed us,” she said. “There has been a ton of professionalism from the staff in providing an intentional education for her. The students have been very accepting.”

Abi was shy speaking about homecoming. She’d rather talk about her favorite things — her golden retriever or singing along to music in the car with Grace.

Mamie tears up when she thinks about Abi participating in a quintessential high school experience like homecoming. Not to mention Grace serving as homecoming queen alongside her.

“It’s amazing that they’ve had this journey together,” Mamie said. “It’s a special honor for them to be up their with each other.”

Grace said she’s made it a point to educate others on how to interact with people who have disabilities and she’s happy that the students have been receptive to her message.

“Not everyone knows how to interact with people with disabilities,” she said. “But if they try, they end up making friends.”

Mamie explains that because of Abi’s tendency to be introverted, she wasn’t sure how Abi would handle the whole experience, but she has thrived. Abi doesn’t usually like to wear dresses. But a photo of her trying on her homecoming dress shows a young woman with a huge smile and her arms spread wide in excitement.

“Maybe fame is her thing,” Mamie says with a smile.

Mamie credits Grace as one of the reasons that the students have come to embrace Abi. She says her older daughter is always sure to include Abi, whether its eating lunch together or hanging out with Grace’s friends after school.

“This whole thing is such a special reflection on the school,” she said. “I want to say thank you to the staff, the students and to Grace for this.”