Sweet Prom Photo Goes Viral Thanks to Inspiring Sign

Wisconsin teens Mikenzy Snell and Matt Pliska’s prom picture has gone viral thanks to the inspiring message they share about Down syndrome. (Photo: Young Broadcasting of Green Bay, Inc.)

Most teens at the prom hope to wow with a stunning dress or swanky tux, but two Wisconsin friends earned admiration with a sign.

After Waupaca High School dates Mikenzy Snell and Matt Pliska, who has Down syndrome, posed for a photo at their March 28 dance holding a poster that reads, “Real friends don’t count extra chromosomes,” the image went viral. Hundreds of “likes” on Facebook spawned a local news story on WBAY as well as national attention on the duo’s inspiring friendship, which Mikenzy’s mother Carmen Snell tells Yahoo Parenting will “last their lifetime.”

Photo: Young Broadcasting of Green Bay, Inc.

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“Some of her best times had are with Matt,” says Carmen of Pliska, a leukemia survivor and team manager for his school’s boy’s hockey team and girl’s soccer team. “They see movies, go out for dinner and to go watch high school sporting events together.”

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Mikenzy — who coaches Special Olympics basketball — also goes to bat for her bud, whom she calls “My bestest friend. Ever,” on Facebook.

Photo: Young Broadcasting of Green Bay, Inc. 

Prior to the prom, the junior class was set to vote for two boys to be elected onto prom court. “When Mikenzy noticed that Matt’s name was not on the ballot, she was determined to have his name added,” says Carmen. “She took it upon herself to go the office about it but was told it was too late as the class was already voting. About a week later, though, she learned that there was a new ballot and Matt’s name was on it. We found out later that week he was elected onto prom court. Mikenzy knew that Matt deserved the chance just like everyone else.”

Mikenzy tells WBAY, “He’s the king in all of our eyes.”

Joined at the hip since they were partnered on a class field trip to Madison, Wisc. in fifth grade, she gushes when asked about her BFF. “He’s such a positive person,” she says. “He always has a smile on his face.” As for Pliska’s take, the teen says, “Honestly, I love [her].”

(Photo: Young Broadcasting of Green Bay, Inc.)

Going to the prom together “shows our friendship to the next level of where it actually is but people might not see behind closed doors,” Mikenzy says about the milestone that they’ve been planning to attend together for a year. “I think it’ll be a forever friendship.” Their bond, she writes on Facebook, “is different than everyone else’s. I wouldn’t trade being his coach, prom date, or his best friend for anything.”

(Photo: Young Broadcasting of Green Bay, Inc.)

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