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In her neon pink shoes, Maddy Gillespie of Northbrook went to the ball and had a ball plus ice cream after the dance.

Maddy, 17, a senior at Glenbrook North High School, rode in a pink Hummer limousine to the high school’s Oct. 1 Homecoming dance, accompanied by Nicholas Kotsinis, 21, of Glenview.

Maddy Gillespie, 17, a Glenbrook North High School senior from Northbrook, dances to the pumped up music inside the pink limousine. On right is Nicholas Kotsinis, 21, of Glenview, and a 2020 graduate of Glenbrook South High School. Image from Glenbrook North High School Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 1, 2022 in Northbrook at the Gillespie residence.
Maddy Gillespie, 17, a Glenbrook North High School senior from Northbrook, dances to the pumped up music inside the pink limousine. On right is Nicholas Kotsinis, 21, of Glenview, and a 2020 graduate of Glenbrook South High School. Image from Glenbrook North High School Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 1, 2022 in Northbrook at the Gillespie residence.

Both have Down syndrome and have been friends for about 13 years.

Maddy asked Nicholas (who also goes by Nick) to the dance in late September. With the help of her family, Maddy made a surprise visit, arriving in a Jeep with loud music at the Kotsinis home to ask Nicholas, a 2020 Glenbrook South High School graduate.

“I didn’t know it was going to happen but it was so incredible, so fun,” said Maria Kotsinis, Nick’s mother, about the fanfare ask by Maddy which included posters, balloons and cookies.

The Saturday October Homecoming memory maker included a visit to a Northbrook salon for Maddy, a photo session in the Gillespie family backyard, dinner with a decorated table (by their mothers) at Naf Naf Grill in Glenview and the limo ride with pumped up party music to the Northbrook high school gym for the dance.

Center, Nicholas Kotsinis, 21, of Glenview, and a 2020 graduate of Glenbrook South High School, has eyes on Maddy Gillespie, 17, a Glenbrook North High School senior from Northbrook. Image from Glenbrook North High School Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 1, 2022 in Northbrook at the Gillespie residence.
Center, Nicholas Kotsinis, 21, of Glenview, and a 2020 graduate of Glenbrook South High School, has eyes on Maddy Gillespie, 17, a Glenbrook North High School senior from Northbrook. Image from Glenbrook North High School Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 1, 2022 in Northbrook at the Gillespie residence.

Maddy and Nicholas both said they were excited to dance the night away. “I’m happy,” Maddy said on Saturday shortly before dinner.

The two exchanged a floral wristlet for Maddy and a boutonniere for Nicholas.

Maddy’s parents are Tom and Randi Gillespie and her siblings are Liam, 15, a Glenbrook North sophomore and Sarah, 19, a college sophomore.

Tom and Maria Kotsinis are the parents of Demetri, 27, Georgia, 25, and Nicholas.

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On Saturday, the Gillespie home had National Association for Down Syndrome signage in the yard promoting, “See the able, not the label.”

October is Down syndrome Awareness Month. See (www.NADS.org).

From left, Maddy Gillespie, 17, a Glenbrook North High School senior from Northbrook, and Nicholas Kotsinis, 21, of Glenview, and a 2020 graduate of Glenbrook South High School. Imags from Glenbrook North High School Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 1, 2022 in Northbrook at the Gillespie residence.
From left, Maddy Gillespie, 17, a Glenbrook North High School senior from Northbrook, and Nicholas Kotsinis, 21, of Glenview, and a 2020 graduate of Glenbrook South High School. Imags from Glenbrook North High School Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 1, 2022 in Northbrook at the Gillespie residence.

Randi Gillespie, a longtime advocate for Down syndrome awareness, is a director of special needs services for a Northbrook-based financial firm. She is also chair of the Village of Northbrook’s newly formed Special Needs Inclusion Commission which had its first meeting in September. The second meeting is this month.

“The goal of the commission is to bring about full and equal participation in all aspects of life in Northbrook for people with disabilities, encouraging public awareness and providing information to businesses and organizations, to review and make recommendations about policies and procedures as they affect people with disabilities, and to coordinate with the activities of other local groups to meet the needs of people with disabilities,” Randi Gillespie said.

“The Village of Northbrook has been a wonderful champion for the Down syndrome community during this month,” Gillespie added.

From left, Maddy Gillespie, 17, a Glenbrook North High School senior from Northbrook, and Nicholas Kotsinis, 21, of Glenview, and a 2020 graduate of Glenbrook South High School. Images from Glenbrook North High School Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 1, 2022 in Northbrook at the Gillespie residence.
From left, Maddy Gillespie, 17, a Glenbrook North High School senior from Northbrook, and Nicholas Kotsinis, 21, of Glenview, and a 2020 graduate of Glenbrook South High School. Images from Glenbrook North High School Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 1, 2022 in Northbrook at the Gillespie residence.

There are village banners along Northbrook’s Cherry Lane underpass promoting Down syndrome Awareness Month.

Maria Kotsinis, also a supporter for Down syndrome awareness and education, said Nicholas attends the transition program with Glenbrook South via Glenbrook High School District 225.

“Together, they have been involved in numerous activities and organizations over the years such as Special Gifts Theatre (of Northbrook), Special Olympics, North Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) programming and even attended overnight camp together this past summer,” Maria Kotsinis said.

Before the limousine departed, a paparazzi fan gallery of family and friends snapped photos after a banner sunset. Maddy’s brother Liam offered a hug.

Maddy Gillespie, 17, a Glenbrook North High School senior from Northbrook, has a corsage wristlet placed by Nicholas Kotsinis, 21, of Glenview, and a 2020 graduate of Glenbrook South High School. Image from Glenbrook North High School Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 1, 2022 in Northbrook at the Gillespie residence.
Maddy Gillespie, 17, a Glenbrook North High School senior from Northbrook, has a corsage wristlet placed by Nicholas Kotsinis, 21, of Glenview, and a 2020 graduate of Glenbrook South High School. Image from Glenbrook North High School Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 1, 2022 in Northbrook at the Gillespie residence.

“He is a big advocate for Maddy, making sure people respect her and value her,” Randi Gillespie said about Liam.

“He becomes a bit emotional when he talks about her and he stands up for her.

“He’s a good kid,” Randi Gillespie added about Liam. “He’s got her back.”

About Maddy, Randi Gillespie said, “She really won’t ever understand just how much she impacts those around her.”

Ahead for Maddy at the end of October is her 18th birthday with plans to go sky diving with sister Sarah and mom Randi.

From left, Maddy Gillespie, 17, a Glenbrook North High School senior from Northbrook, and Nicholas Kotsinis, 21, of Glenview, and a 2020 graduate of Glenbrook South High School, are about to enter the pink Hummer limousine. The paparazzi is in place. Imags from Glenbrook North High School Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 1, 2022 in Northbrook at the Gillespie residence.
From left, Maddy Gillespie, 17, a Glenbrook North High School senior from Northbrook, and Nicholas Kotsinis, 21, of Glenview, and a 2020 graduate of Glenbrook South High School, are about to enter the pink Hummer limousine. The paparazzi is in place. Imags from Glenbrook North High School Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 1, 2022 in Northbrook at the Gillespie residence.

About Nick and Maddy, “They have an amazing relationship that comes with love and genuine respect for one another,” Randi Gillespie said.

“These young adults will continue to inspire and put smiles on the faces of anyone that they come in contact with.”

Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.