Knoch High School senior Alex Weber poses Friday night with classmates, from left, Katerina Fissore, Savanna Steffen, Adam Albert, Spencer Kale and Schaely Renfrew during the school's prom at Four Points by Sheraton Pittsburgh North. Alex, who has Down syndrome, was voted prom king.

CRANBERRY TWP — Alex Weber has looked forward to his senior prom for years.

And Knoch High School's Friday night gala delivered big time with dancing, food, a limo and a beautiful date in a stunning gown.

But what was the best part of prom?

“Being king,” Alex said.

Alex, who has down syndrome, was voted and coronated prom king by fellow prom goers.

“I'm just so proud of the students at Knoch,” said Alex's mother, Chris Weber, who was able to attend the event at Four Points by Sheraton Pittsburgh North and witness the crowning moment. “He was so surprised. It was wonderful.”

Although he has some special classes, Alex has attended public school with the same classmates since kindergarten. He's also been involved with the district's band, baseball and stage crew. He's played hockey with Special Olympics and played Miracle League baseball. He also took culinary classes at Butler County Vocational-Technical School.

To his classmates, Alex is just one of the guys, says high school principal Todd Trofimuk. “He's just another kid that we like.”

A few years back, Alex attended a prom with an upperclassman.

“And that's all he's talked about since ... prom and graduation,” says Chris Weber.

As the date approached, Alex, who is shy, mustered the courage to ask sophomore Kayla Genglerto be his date. He arranged a limousine and a hand corsage of garden flowers and succulents to match her purple sparkly dress.

But the vote was a surprise. The class votes twice in advance. Once to narrow the field to a six-boy, six-girl court and again to select king and queen.

Although the win was a shocker for Alex, others weren't surprised.

Senior Spencer Kale, who also was on prom court, said once Alex made it onto the court everyone suspected he would win.

“We all really like Alex. He's nice and easy going. He's cool,” she said.

Next up for Alex?

“The graduation party,” he says.

Although Alex loves the culinary program and food, he's shown an interest in some rental properties owned by his parents Chris and Jeff Weber, and plans to study construction post graduation.

He also works part-time at the Freedom Farm bakery, and he has appeared on the television show that documents the farm: “Farm Kings.”