Trying to find two matching socks can sometimes be a challenge on an ordinary day; however, the staff and students at Vanier Collegiate High School purposely wore two different socks to school on Wednesday. 

They organized a few different ways to participate and shine a light on World Down Syndrome Day, which has been proclaimed as March 21st each year.

"Our Best Buddies program organized a Lots of Socks Day - it's an international initiative," explained a teacher at the local high school, Jessica Cripps. "We began the week with a tie-dye fundraiser and then encouraged all of our students to wear their mismatched socks. Our Best Buddies program is set up to pair our students with disabilities with those who do not have disabilities and essentially what we're doing is creating friendships among them and every year they switch up their buddy so that it grows; it's just about having friends at school and building a community."

The school was filled with laughter and smiles, including bright socks of all kinds and lengths. Although the students enjoyed themselves, she said there's an important message behind it. 

"It's advocating for a person first language within our society, Vanier's participation on Down Syndrome Awareness Day shows solidarity among our student body, and it's empowering to everyone because they are a part of a movement within their community. I hope our students can walk away from this participating in it showing their solidarity with students and their school, raising awareness and engaging in conversations," said Cripps.

One of the many students who dressed up was Grade 12 student Olivia Moyse, who said her peers were pleased to connect and added that the message of World Down Syndrome day hit home for her and her classmates.

"It shows inclusiveness and helps everyone support everybody in our school... we have kids with Down Syndrome, so it helps us support them and shows we believe in them," explained Moyse.