Two Coastal Empire kids to be featured at NYC’s Times Square

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - On Saturday, September 6, 2025, our country’s premier advocacy event for Down Syndrome will take over Times Square in New York City.

It’s the National Down Syndrome Society’s Buddy Walk, and a few young people from our area will be featured.

5-year-old Easton and 16-year-old Kat will both have their pictures shown on the jumbotrons during the event.

We met up with Easton and his mom, Adrienne Vining, at his favorite park in Metter. His parents ask you to see past what’s in the forefront as they have.

“Soon after he was born we realized all the extra that he was bringing to our lives: extra cute, extra happy, extra loving,” his mom said.

Because of that, they call him Extraordinary Easton.

There’s one more extra that makes Easton special - he has an additional 21st chromosome. His mom says when they were told, emotions were indescribable.

“We definitely face struggles and challenges day in and day out that come with Down Syndrome.”

She says those melt away though when she hears his laugh.

“I feel like when I see him smile it makes me smile so I get to wake up to that every morning.”

It’s infectious.

As is the support his mom gives him.

“Little did we know then because he was a baby or when we got his diagnosis all the love and the joy and the happiness that brings, I don’t know it’s kind of hard to put into words you just have to experience it,” explained Vining.

Typically, there aren’t many who get the Extraordinary Easton experience.

That changes Saturday though, because he was one of just 500 selected to be highlighted by the National Down Syndrome Society. Thanks to that, everyone in Times Square during the Buddy Walk will get to see what we all do through this story.

“I hope when they look up and see those beautiful faces on Times Square it’ll say that is a life worth living and our hope for Easton as well is that he will feel valued and accepted and be included in our community.”

Easton and his family are actually traveling to New York to be there when his face comes up on the Times Square jumbotrons, and his mom tells us she will make sure to take a video of it so we can share even more of Extraordinary Easton with you all.

Kat’s family, meanwhile, is celebrating her spotlight within the Coastal Empire. They are tying her birthday celebration into their celebration of the Times Square feature.

We zoomed with Kat and her mom Cheryl Waters.

Her mom says Kat’s selection for this honor moves forward the lessons and values they have tried to raise her with.

“I think it goes with the slogan that they had a while back that was ‘more alike than different’ and I’ve always tried to push that and to show and showcase that Kat is just like every other teenage girl.”

Kat is a varsity cheerleader for Vidalia Heritage Academy and her mom says just like so many other daughters out there, she’s crazy about boys and makeup.

Kat has also been a page for State Senator Blake Tillery this year.

Now, her picture will come on the screens in Times Square Saturday and her family is incredibly excited.