Veronica “Ronnie” Hastings of Saint Cloud will soon see her smile light up one of the most iconic locations in the world — Times Square in New York City. On Saturday, September 6, Hastings will be featured in the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Times Square Video Presentation, an annual event that showcases the lives and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome from across the globe.

The one-hour video, which will include more than 500 photographs of children, teens, and adults with Down syndrome from all 50 states and 11 countries, will be displayed on two large Jumbotron screens above the Dos Caminos restaurant in Father Duffy Square. Hastings’ photo was chosen from over 2,600 submissions worldwide, and she is pictured at just seven months old in the nature preserve near her home.

Thanks to support from ClearChannel Outdoor, the video will be livestreamed on the NDSS Facebook page from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. ET on September 6. The presentation serves as the official kickoff for the New York City Buddy Walk®, held later that day at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park.

“We are infinitely proud of our little girl and can’t wait to share her beauty with the rest of the world!” said Rachel Hastings, Veronica’s mom.

Since its inception in 1995, the NYC Buddy Walk® has been part of NDSS’s nationwide program promoting acceptance, inclusion, and support for people with Down syndrome. Today, more than 150 Buddy Walk® events take place annually in communities across the United States and select international locations.

Founded in 1979, NDSS is the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome, advocating for policy change, creating resources, and building awareness through community engagement.

For more information about the National Buddy Walk® Program or to find an event near you, visit www.ndss.org.