William Floyd School District: Founders Of ‘John's Crazy Socks' Visit WFHS Students

Press release from the William Floyd School District:

2022-03-10

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William Floyd High School students recently welcomed John and Mark Cronin, the co-founders of John’s Crazy Socks, a father-son business inspired John, who has Down syndrome. John and Mark had the opportunity to meet with students in the high school auditorium and share with them the importance of believing in themselves, creating healthy life habits and how being successful is possible for everyone!

John and Mark shared how John’s Crazy Socks started, how they built a business with the mission to spread happiness, created a unified workplace with more than half the employees of differing abilities and discussed the opportunities students have available to them in the future. John’s Crazy Socks has experienced great success, going from a small start-up business in Huntington to shipping out thousands of socks all over the world.

“I want students to raise the bar, not limit themselves and be able to turn their wishes into accomplishments,” said Carmella Currao, special education teacher, William Floyd High School. “You could tell by the questions how interested the students were. John and Mark took the time to answer each question in full. It was so wonderful.”

The student feedback after hearing about John’s story was overwhelmingly positive, with many saying they are more confident in themselves now knowing John’s story and how they understand the importance of treating people with kindness.

“I love speaking to students,” said John Cronin. “I want them to know what they can do when they finish school.”

About John’s Crazy Socks 

Ms. Currao with John and Mark Cronin.

John’s Crazy Socks was inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks—what he calls his “crazy socks.” He and his father, Mark X. Cronin, started the company as a social enterprise with a mission of Spreading Happiness™. They do this by offering socks people can love that allows an expression of one’s true self. More than half their employees have a differing ability, and their Giving Back program has raised over $475,000 for charity partners like the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society and the Autism Society of America. Most of all, they are Spreading Happiness™. 

John’s socks have touched the lives of so many people including George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. Read how Mr. Bush and John bonded over their love of crazy socks. 

This press release was produced by the William Floyd School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.