Lexington teen featured on Times Square billboards

A picture of Lexington teen Dylan “Pickles” Morton is scheduled to appear in Times Square on Saturday, Sept. 12, as part of the annual National Down Syndrome Society Times Square Video Presentation.

The one-hour video of 500-plus photographs includes children, teens and adults with Down syndrome from all 50 states and 12 countries. These collective images highlight individuals with Down syndrome in the most visible way — on two screens in the heart of New York City.

Morton’s photo was selected from more than 2,700 entries in the NDSS worldwide call for photos. His image will be shown on two Jumbotron screens thanks to the support of Clear Channel Outdoor. The two screens are above Dos Caminos restaurant in Father Duffy Square. The presentation will be livestreamed on the NDSS Facebook page from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Eastern on Sept. 12.

Morton is pictured in his Miracle League Baseball uniform for the Washington Nationals; he has played for eight seasons. He is also a member of the Special Olympics Area 7 Swim Team and won two bronze medals at the State Games in May 2026.

Morton is active in the community and has appeared in the Family Connection Look! exhibition for a number of years. The exhibition appears throughout Columbia at places such as the Richland County Public Library and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. His recent photograph showcased his relationship with his trainer, Ty Sheehan of Onelife Fitness Irmo.

Morton attends Clear Dot Charter School in Columbia.

The Times Square video presentation kicks off the New York City Buddy Walk, which takes place at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. This flagship Buddy Walk has taken place in New York City since 1995 as part of the National Buddy Walk Program.

More than 150 Buddy Walk events are held in communities across the country and select international locations. For more information about the New York City Buddy Walk on Sept. 12 or the National Buddy Walk Program, visit www.ndss.org.