SOUTH JERSEY

Rowan student in Down syndrome campaign

Celeste E. Whittaker
@cp_CWhittaker
RCBC student AnnaRose Rubright, 19, of Medford appeared in a video for a global campaign for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21. Actress Olivia Wilde was also featured in the short film.

MOUNT LAUREL - A Rowan College at Burlington County student was featured in a video with actress Olivia Wilde for a global campaign for World Down Syndrome Day Monday.

The student, AnnaRose Rubright, 19, of Medford, narrates throughout the clip.

In the 1 minute, 46 second clip, Wilde plays AnnaRose as she sees herself, a daughter, a sister, dancing, laughing, and achieving her dreams.

At the end, AnnaRose appears on screen and asks, "How do you see me?" The objective of the campaign is to start a conversation about how those living with Down syndrome see themselves and how others can prejudge them based on the fact that they have Down syndrome. The campaign also includes the hashtag, #HowDoYouSeeMe.

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“Students attending Rowan College at Burlington County have many different stories, yet we see each of them the same way: as a future leader,” said Rowan College at Burlington County President Paul Drayton. “AnnaRose is already a leader in setting a worldwide example of how we should view people. She is an exceptionally bright and energetic young woman who has a limitless future ahead of her.”

The opportunity to participate in the campaign for World Down Syndrome Day by CoorDown, Italy’s national organization for people with Down syndrome, came through Rubright’s involvement with PALS, an organization that provides a place for young adults with Down syndrome and their peers to have fun, grow as individuals and build friendships.

Saatchi and Saatchi, a global communications agency in New York, contacted PALS when they were looking for a young actress with Down syndrome to star in the film with Wilde. PALS reached out to Rubright, who auditioned.

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Rubright was also invited to speak at the United Nations in New York for the 5th Annual World Down Syndrome Day Conference on Monday and addressed how she sees herself with speakers and organizations from around the globe.

She says her public speaking course at RCBC gave her preparation for the world’s stage.

“Students helped me prepare by offering me critiques, like I need to speak louder and make more eye contact,” the Shawnee graduate explained.