Teen With Rare Disorder Can’t Go In Sun, But Classmates Give Her Moment To Shine.

Riley McCoy is just like any other high school student: She works hard to get good grades, has tons of friends, and hopes to go to college one day.

But at the same time, she is also very unique. Born with an extremely rare genetic disorder called xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), the Dana Hills High School junior cannot be exposed to any sunshine. Riley walks into school every day wearing clothing covering every bit of her skin and plastic sheeting over her head that was designed by NASA.


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But Riley has a beautiful outlook on life. Though she also suffers from a specific strain of XP that leads to neurological degeneration, she has surpassed what doctors believed would be possible. Her dad said, “We never knew if she’d be able to go to school.”


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Riley has flourished, making friends, inspiring others, and even taking up dance.


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Recently, the annual homecoming festivities were announced at her high school and something magical happened. While more than 200 girls were on the original homecoming court’s ballot, the list was narrowed down to six – and Riley was on it!

“I was so excited,” she remembers.


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She got ready for the ceremony just like any high school girl would – by buying a beautiful dress.

But what’s truly special is just how accommodating the whole school was to make sure Riley could participate in the ceremony and festivities. They held the pep rally indoors and tested all the lights on the football field (more than 20 spotlights) – they were all safe for the teen to stand under.


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Her big night came and as she stood on the field with the other nominees, her fellow classmates chanted her name, “RILEY, RILEY, RILEY.”

The announcer came on and revealed that she’d won homecoming queen!


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Watch as she is crowned in the heartwarming video below. It’s truly beautiful to see an entire school rally around a student who is a little different – it just goes to show that our differences are what make us special.

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