Joe Tichenor, a Junior Marketing Major from Alvation, Ky plays air guitar while his sister Kate sings in front of him. Joe plays in the band Micah and Kate, who has Down Syndrome is at all the shows. “She knows all the words.” Joe says. BRIAN POWERS/HERALD

When Kate Tichenor, now 22, stepped onto the football field homecoming night during her senior year at Greenwood High School the crowd, overflowing from the well-lit stadium, erupted in cheers.

Her younger brother, Joe Tichenor, now a junior at Western, was on the field watching proudly as Kate’s face lit up into a wide, surprised smile, matching his.

But Joe wasn’t surprised by her reaction. For Kate, being elected homecoming queen was not about the popularity or recognition.

“I don’t think she realized just how big of a deal it was,” Joe said.

Kate, who has Down syndrome, was just having fun.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of a third chromosome on a person’s twenty-first strand.

“It’s not about their disability but about their ability,” Joe said.

Kate said her favorite activities are singing and dancing in the Bowling Green Rockers, a dance team for people with Down syndrome. She also helps the Lady Topper volleyball team.

Joe and his mother, Jane Tichenor, are involved with the Down Syndrome Support Group of South Central Kentucky, a support system for families of people who have Down syndrome.

The group’s second annual Poker Run fundraiser on Saturday kicked off a series of events to raise awareness of Down syndrome.

Fifty-seven bikers made the about 80-mile round trip during the Poker Run, which included five stops in Bowling Green and other surrounding towns.

Participants drew playing cards from buckets at each stop, trying to get the highest poker hand, said Scott Essler, the group’s president.

The winner received a $100 cash prize, said Pam Merry, who organized the event.

Last year, the winner donated his prize back to the group, Jane said.

This year, the group raised about $1,500 to go toward opening the Buddy House, Merry said.

The Buddy House will be a facility for educating and supporting people with Down syndrome and their families in the area, Jane said.

Upcoming events include the Buddy Walk at 9 a.m. on Sept. 19 at Greenwood High School and a tentative concert in October. The group’s goal is to raise about $50,000 to open the house, she said.

“We really look into Western to come in and volunteer,” Jane said. “We need the community.”

For more information about the support group’s events, visit www.dssgsck.com.