I REALLY Love My Life!

Rachel Mast posing on the floor

NOTE: October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

I am Rachel Mast. I am 19 years old. I really love my life.

I have a great life, and I love telling people how great my life is.

I was born in Memphis. In third grade, my family moved to Olathe, Kansas.

I love lots of things about my life. I love my church. I love my school.  I love my family. I love dancing, acting, and singing. One of the best things about my life is my friends.

I graduated from Olathe South High School in May. Just like my friends, I got a diploma. I loved my school. I was on student council, and was the volleyball manager for four years. In ninth grade, I was on the Winter Court. I was the Prom Princess. I was in National Honor Society and on the honor roll.

Rachel Mast on stage as Strato in “Julius Caesar”

Rachel Mast on stage as Strato in “Julius Caesar”

I took general education classes with my friends. My favorite classes were my theatre classes. Even though it was hard, I learned Shakespearean monologues. It is hard for me to memorize, but I worked very hard and did a great job. One of my best high school memories was being Strato in “Julius Caesar.” I am a member of my school’s thespian troupe. I have my name on a brick at my school.

I liked all my classes, but I don’t like math very much. Math is hard for me. I really like English. My favorite book was “Romeo and Juliet,” but I didn’t really like Frankenstein.” I worked very hard in my classes, so I could make good grades and go to college.

I really liked my parenting class. We pretended we were going to have a baby—that was funny. I had to bring a baby home and I named her Sarah Nicole. She cried three times during dinner. I decided I do not want children.

My senior year, I worked in the attendance office and the counseling office. It was so much fun. I took passes to people and greeted people. They told me my smile made everyone happy. I just got a job as a hostess at the Olive Garden. It is kind of like what I did in the school office.

One of the best things I remember in high school was scoring a touchdown at the powder puff football game. During homecoming weekend, the junior and senior girls always play a powder puff game. My friends helped me out and, when I got the ball, I scored a touchdown. It made me have happy tears.

I love my friends very much. My volleyball friends called me the #bestmanagerever. I gave them pep talks. My theatre friends helped me to know when to do things on stage. They helped me when I was on the crew for the “Addams Family.” I love them very much. My friends from church are the best. We go to church camp together. We went on mission trips. We had fun. I miss them very much. We still pray for each other.

Theatre is my life. I have been in 22 plays. My favorite was “Hairspray” because I love to dance and sing.

I have the same dreams as my friends. I want to go to college. In January, I am going to start as a student at Missouri State University. I will be in the first Bear POWER class. I am so excited to live in the dorm, take theatre classes, and make friends. Some of my friends go there, too!

I also travel to Washington, D.C., and to the Kansas state capitol building in Topeka to talk about laws that will help people with Down syndrome. I even got to testify in Topeka. I helped to pass the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. I was the first person to open an ABLE account in Kansas. U.S. Senator for Kansas, Jerry Moran, says that I am “the best lobbyist in Washington, D.C.”

When I started going to Washington, D.C., I told them to support the ABLE Act so I could live in a pink house. My dream is to move to New York City, be on Broadway, get married, and live in a pink house.

Did I mention I have Down syndrome? I have Down syndrome, but I am not Down syndrome. I am Rachel. I have dreams. I REALLY love my life.

Rachel, now an Olathe South High School Graduate


Blog articles provide insights on the activities of schools, programs, grantees, and other education stakeholders to promote continuing discussion of educational innovation and reform. Articles do not endorse any educational product, service, curriculum or pedagogy.

Rachel Mast thumbnail image
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Olathe South High School Graduate and future Missouri State University student

25 Comments

  1. Hey Rachel, My name is Janie! Your story is truly amazing and your writing is just out of this world good! Would you mind if I shared this blog post to my social media platforms? I’d thought I’d ask first before I do anything.

  2. Thanks for sharing your story Rachel! I know you’ll have the best time going to college in January. Thanks for advocating for people with Down syndrome.

  3. Rachel, we also love your life❣️ We look forward to learning about your exciting college experiences. Please give your Mom and Dad a hug for us. ❤️

    • Dr. Rud and Ann,
      It makes my heart happy that you read my blog. I like being in your book. People tell me they see me in there. I miss you.

  4. Thanks Rachel for sharing your life story! Can’t wait to see what you achieve in this next chapter – college!!! My son had Down syndrome and is almost 13 and in 6th grade. Thanks for the inspiration!

  5. You are the advocate ‘extraordinaire” for those with Down syndrome. You do have a wonderful life, for sure…and thank you for all that you do, Rachel!

  6. Rachel, thank you for sharing! It is evident that you love your life as you radiate joy and happiness. What an inspiration and role model you are to teens and adults to work hard to accomplish your goals but enjoy yourself along the way. I am very excited for your future!

  7. Thank you for sharing! A great reminder for all that Down syndrome is just a part of someone, not the only thing. Dream big Rachel!

  8. Thank you for sharing your story, Rachel! You are an incredible young woman with a bright future. Top notch role model!

  9. Rachel –
    As a special educator and a parent of a child with special needs, YOU are an inspiration. Thank you for giving ALL students the right to dream, to make goals and find a path to accomplish real life goals!

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