A Westport Girl Is About to Light Up the Times Square Jumbotron

It's time for a trip to New York City for one Westport family.

On September 12, Lyndsey Freitas will be perched on the Red Steps, phone up, waiting for her daughter's face to appear several stories above her head.

Mia Freitas, who turns 11 soon, has been chosen for the National Down Syndrome Society's annual Times Square Video Presentation. Her photo will run on two Jumbotron screens as part of an hour of images featuring more than 500 people with Down syndrome from all 50 states and 12 countries.

She Sent the Photo In Back in January

Lyndsey submitted Mia's photo in January, but then heard nothing for months. The news finally came about a month ago. NDSS sorted through roughly 2,700 entries from around the world before making its final picks. Lyndsey knew full well that getting through was far from a sure thing.

"People have submitted their kids like 10 times and have never gotten chosen," she said. "So when she was picked, I was shocked. I was like, the first time I ever tried, and wow, this is so cool."

The winning photo catches Mia in the middle of a routine during a cheer competition. Mia is flashing a big, wide smile after nailing her gymnastics move.

How Did Mia Take the News?

"She jumped up and down and said 'yay,'" Lyndsey said. "But I don't think she really truly understands the magnitude of how cool it's going to be when she actually sees her picture there on the Jumbotron."

The Family Is Making the Trip

The Freitas family has reserved a hotel room in the city for the night before so they will have easy access to Times Square when the video rolls at 8:30 that morning. "I'm hoping to get her picture in front of her picture," Lyndsey said. "So it'll be like a fun little memory."

NDSS will stream the whole presentation live on its Facebook page. The video will kick off the New York City version of the Buddy Walk, a walk made famous locally by the annual attendance of Tom Brady, and now Drake Maye.

READ MORE: Patriots' Drake Maye Takes Leadership Role in Best Buddies Challenge

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It Is a Big Fall for Mia Either Way

Mia just wrapped up Westport Elementary and will start fifth grade at Westport Middle School in a couple of weeks, a jump her mother admits she is petrified about. Luckily, Mia is not.

"I'm just really proud of her, and none of it bothers her," Lyndsey said. "She's just very much like, 'OK, let's do it.'"

Mia cheers with Flurries Unified Athletics, the free New Bedford nonprofit run by Hannah Allain. Mia's teammates have known about her exciting news for weeks. "I encourage ANYONE looking for a village for not only your child but also yourself as a parent to join the Flurries you will NOT be disappointed!”