Lifelong best friends who graduated kindergarten together cross the stage as high school graduates
WACO, Texas (KWTX) – Two lifelong best friends, both with Down syndrome, who graduated kindergarten side by side crossed the stage together over the weekend as high school graduates.
Madi Potts, 18, and Shelby Tindell, 17, graduated Midway High School Saturday which was a fitting ending to a journey the girls have been on together since diapers.
“We are like pumped! Pumped! Pumped!” the girls said in unison.
Madi and Shelby met at Madi’s second birthday party and have been inseparable since, particularly when it comes to school.
They’ve attended the same school since Pre-K when both were students at Castleman Creek Elementary in the Midway ISD.
They then moved to Hewitt Elementary where they graduated kindergarten side-by-side.
The dynamic duo later attended intermediate and middle school together before moving on to Midway High School.
During that time, they’ve been each other’s best friends and teammates, participating in sports like soccer, cheerleading and basketball through the No Limitations nonprofit that provides activities for those with disabilities.
The girls have embraced their senior year.
On the first day of their senior year, the girls both took part in a long-running tradition of wearing a decorated shirt.
They also attended a senior girls’ breakfast hosted by Midway moms.
Madi’s mom, Julie, said watching them have so many “lasts” has been heartwarming and sad.
“It’s a roller coaster of emotions,” Madi’s mom, Julie said.
“As great as life has been, it’s hard to believe it could be any better but somehow I know, the best is yet to come,” Julie said.
Midway has a life skills program called MPower that both girls can attend until they’re 22 years old.
The program will be four hours a day during the school year.
During that time, Madi will be volunteering at Chapel Park Elementary, where Julie works, and Shelby will be working at Spring Valley Elementary where her mom works.
