24 Juin event celebrates people with Down syndrome
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
A Sherbrooke event on May 21 gave people with Down syndrome the chance to shine in the spotlight — complete with professional hair styling, makeup, and a photo shoot — all aimed at building confidence and inclusion.
Organized by Rachel Dubuc, the initiative took place at the 24 Juin vocational training centre and involved 18 participants, each given the chance to feel like a model for the day. Students from 24 Juin’s hairdressing program styled the guests, creating a welcoming and glamorous atmosphere.
“We did it to help our young participants gain confidence in themselves,” said Dubuc. “People often point out the physical traits that come with Down syndrome, and our members are very aware of how they’re being looked at. This is a way for them to feel included and beautiful.”
Dubuc, who works with Sherbrooke’s Association du Syndrome de Down which provides programs for people with intellectual disabilities, said the idea came out of conversations during regular group activities. “They were saying they felt apart from others, and I thought — why not do something fun that lets them feel proud of who they are?”
Participants had clearly been looking forward to the event. “They’ve been talking about what they’re going to wear and how they’ll walk like a model for a month now,” Dubuc said with a smile. “Their families say they can’t wait for it to be over because that’s all they’ve been talking about!”
One of the participants, Jessica Howie, said the experience made her feel “like a princess, like royalty.” Originally from Saskatchewan, Howie now lives at a group residence in Sherbrooke. “It’s like a family all together,” she explained. “We eat supper together, and there’s a common area to watch shows.”
Howie also helps out with fundraising for events like this one. “We sell Belgian chocolate,” she said. “I help with the cash and write things down. It helps raise money for special events like today.”
