Senior With Down Syndrome Crowned High School Queen

Her father's absence meant tweaking the high school's tradition of having the homecoming queen candidates escorted to the event by their fathers.

Kristin Pass, 18, center, was named homecoming queen Friday night at her Texas high school, beating two other finalists for the crown. Pass was born with Down syndrome.

(Courtesy Chari Hust)

For Pass, it was her grandfather, David Campbell, who led her onstage to be crowned.

"It was very emotional," said Campbell, who also drove the red convertible Kristin rode in during the homecoming parade held by the school earlier in the week. "You can't measure how proud I was. Every fiber in my body was happy for her.

"She didn't say much [when she was crowned], she was too busy smiling," he said. "I gave her a kiss on the cheek and a hug and she was kind of letting it soak in. It got real when we got to the sidelines. All her friends came over and she was giving high-fives to everyone."

Campbell said that while Pass' post-graduation plans have not been finalized, he is sure that her strong work ethic and intelligence will help her succeed.

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"She is incredible in so many ways," Campbell said of Pass, who holds a part-time job at a local restaurant and is a computer whiz.

"She gets along well and meets people well," said Campbell. "That hand goes out as soon as she sees someone she doesn't know."

But among all of her screaming fans, Pass' biggest cheerleader may be her 14-year-old sister, Kendall, who told ABCNews.com that she considers her sister to be her best friend.

"When I saw her win, it made me very proud she was my sister," said Kendall, who said her sister has been reluctant to take off her crown since she got it. "To be through so much and have this blessing, it was unbelievable. It was one of the happiest moments of my life."

Pass, Kendall said, has also been a constant source of inspiration.

"I've learned so much from her, like not to judge people," she said.

"Sometimes you might get a little freaked out by a person but she doesn't. She just goes up to people and says 'hello,'" she said. "She's taught me so much."