The City That Never Sleeps will welcome Railroad City resident, Noah Schultz, into the lights of Times Square on Sept. 6. 

Noah Schultz, a 2025 Altoona Alumnus, will represent the Down syndrome community in an hour-long presentation, produced by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to be shown on two Jumbotron screens above the Dos Caminos restaurant, located in Father Duffy Square.   

According to NDSS,  this society was founded in 1979to empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families by driving policy change, providing resources, engaging with local communities and shifting public perceptions. NDSS engages grassroots advocates at the federal, state, and local levels and creates resources to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families and caregivers across the lifespan on topics including education, employment, health and wellness and aging. 

N. Schultz’s mother, Anita Conte – Schultz, has been connected with the NDSS since N. Schultz was a baby. 

“Because he [N. Schultz] was born with Down syndrome, you have all the resources, and National Down Syndrome Society was one of them,” A. Schultz said. 

N. Schultz has followed their page and social media for years and has submitted photos before for the Times Square Presentation. 

“Every year, they ask people to submit photos of their loved ones. I’ve submitted quite a few in the past but never been selected,” A. Schultz said. “This was the first year that we got selected, so it was kind of exciting.”

Michelle Sagan is the Director of Communications and Marketing at NDSS. 

“I oversee strategy for social media, email and website,” Sagan said. “I also manage all of our digital marketing and ads, as well as media and public relations. I work closely with the amazing staff who put on this fantastic NYC Buddy Walk and Times Square Video Presentation. I also used to run the NYC Buddy Walk and Times Square video when I first started at NDSS eight years ago.”

Sagan hasn’t met N. Schultz, but his photo stood out to the team amongst the 2,600 entries they received. 

“It’s a fantastic photo,” Sagan said. “Our main priority at NDSS is ensuring that the majority of the photos chosen are of those who have not been chosen in the past. I have not [met N. Schultz], but we do absolutely love the chance to meet these families when it comes time for the Buddy Walk weekend to begin.”

N. Schultz received an email with the acceptance announcement for their photo in July. 

“I was a little shocked at first, and surprised. [I] got a little emotional too,” A. Schultz said. 

N. Schultz also had a positive reaction to the news. 

“He was excited to see himself on the screen,” A. Schultz said. 

Since the announcement, N. Schultz has been recognized in the Altoona Mirror, as well as WTAJ  – TV, which was then shared to his classmates by his teacher. 

“Ms. Matteson showed the clip to her class, so all his friends and classmates could see it,” A. Schultz said. “She [Matteson] said he was just beaming with pride. He was so excited about it.” 

The Schultz family will not be attending the event in person, but they plan to watch on their TV. 

N. Schultz looks forward to watching the presentation on his TV with his close family.

“Yes, TV, yes,” N. Schultz said. “I got one [photo]. I’m the class of 2025.”

Sagan, as well as the staff at NDSS, hold the Buddy Walk weekend especially close to the heart of the organization. 

“It is truly one of the best weekends of the year and our staff can attest to that,” Sagan said. “We love this event. How many chances do you get to see 500 photos of individuals with Down syndrome in Times Square, and then go celebrate with 2,500+ people in Central Park?” 

N. Schultz is excited about the recognition N. Schultz is experiencing, and the impact on the Down syndrome community.

“We’re just happy that he’s being recognized,” A. Schultz said. “It affects the whole Down syndrome community in society and the whole world population, not only in the high school, but in the community. I’m glad he can represent.”