2019
Anna Sikes is this year’s Ruby’s Rainbow Wonderfully Made Clothing Co. Scholarship Award recipient, and she will begin classes at Coastal Alabama Community College this fall. She graduated from high school in May 2019 with honors and was the first person in her high school with Down syndrome to be inducted into the National Honor Society. She was a member of the National Beta Club and was a varsity cheerleader and softball player, and she is also in her third year of cheering with the University of West Alabama. She was the first young woman in Alabama to compete in the Distinguished Young Woman Program, where she won the spirit award. She loves baking and plans after college to open her own bakery. She wants others to know she is smart and has dreams. She says her Down syndrome diagnosis “is not who I am, but it is a part of my life and it has helped me bring awareness about this diagnosis to so many people. I pray people see me and think, All things are possible with love, hard work, and people who believe in you.”
Anna also says, “I can’t wait for college! I’m happy with myself and please know that having Down syndrome is OK!!” Country music singer-songwriter Luke Bryan is her favorite person on earth, and her goal is to dance and sing in a video with him someday. We know you can do it, Anna — you rock!