2024 Spring into Action Participants. Photo: Christian Coriolan
On April 1, “Spring Into Action for Autism” created connections and built awareness about autism at SUNY Old Westbury. Five staff members and sixteen students participated, running around the campus. They ran 1.13 miles around the woods and back at the Clark Athletic Center.
This event helped to motivate people with autism or other disabilities to take action even though it can be challenging. The participants can do anything when they put their heart and mind into it.
Autism Awareness month shows us how to care for people with disabilities. People are willing to do whatever they can to provide care. Coach Scott Bickard and the staff of the Clark Athletic Center helped with this program. Coach Scott says he supports those who need help to get motivated. We congratulate him and the top winners who showed determination.
The top five finishers were:
- Jessi Vasquez: 9:00
- Jasmine Roldan: 10:45
- Ryoto Yoshinaga: 10:55
- Derrick Holmes: 13:00
- Elijah Black: 13:20
Students participating in Spring into Action. Credit: Christian Coriolan
The top three winners: Ryoto Yoshinaga, Jessi Vasquez, & Jasmine Roldan. Credit: Christian Coriolan
First place finisher Jessi Vasquez supports the Autism Awareness program. He was exhausted after the run but he was happy to make the effort. He did his best.
Second place finisher Jasmine Roldan applied for the event because she is an SGA disabilities voice representative. This was her first event and she believes that it will help people with autism.
Third place finisher Ryoto Yoshinaga believes that this program will help build awareness. He did his best and he believes that the run helped motivate people.
