GREENBACK, Tenn. — Following a recipe can sometimes be tricky, but not for Kaci Herron who is confidently baking her way through Project Able—a life skills class at Greenback Public School.
"I do bakery," Kaci smiled. "I love to bake cupcakes and brownies."
Kaci, 21, has big dreams of opening her own bakery someday. Her teachers are cheering her on.
"She's a great poster for students with disabilities as a whole," special education teacher Jessica Spafford said.
From cheering on her classmates in football and basketball to supporting her big brother who is currently serving in the U.S. Navy, Kaci has made the stage her platform—competing in pageants for AmeriFest which celebrates all types of beauty.
In July, she was crowned Miss U.S. Star.
"In the pageant, I cried, and my mom cried, too." Kaci smiled.
Her accomplishments were recently recognized in our nation's capitol by Rep. Tim Burchett.
"She has a real heart for community, and she volunteers with Second Harvest Food Bank every week," Burchett told his constituents.
And all the way in New York City, her photo was chosen to appear in Times Square to kick off the NYC Buddy Walk.
"I go to Times Square and see my face on the big screen!" Kaci said.
Back home, Kaci continues to inspire and help others sorting bread for her school's weekend food pantry. She also recently helped collect baby items for Hurricane Helene flood victims.
The Anderson County Sheriff's Office helped load them into a semi-truck and deliver the items to people in need.
"She wants to be seen as equal. She wants to be involved just like her peers are," Spafford said.
And she is delivering the message that not only is she capable, she's more alike than different.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. More than 400,000 people in the U.S. are currently living with the chromosomal disorder.
The Knoxville Buddy Walk is Sunday, Oct. 20th from 1-4 p.m. at World's Fair Park. Click here to learn more.