ILTexas Lights it Up Blue for Autism Awareness

International Leadership of Texas hosted 2 events today to raise funds for Autism awareness organization, Autism Speaks.

The first event took place at the ILTexas Keller K-8 campus. The assembly was hosted by the

SPED department and featured Mr. Michael Tucker of the Region 11 Instructional Services

Division. He spoke to the students about how Autistic people are not any different than you and

me. The assembly ended with a special visit from Superman - Fort Worth Police Department’s

Officer Damon Cole, nationally famous for visiting sick children dressed as their favorite

costume hero! After Superman finished addressing the students, he let them check out his

Superman-mobile, a customized Dodge Charger.

The second event took place at ILTexas Keller HS. 10th grade students planned the First Annual

Autism Walk to raise funds for Autism Speaks. Every year, each grade level at ILTexas

brainstorms, plans, and executes a community service project. After debating ideas, the 10 th

grade class chose to go blue and to do what they could to educate friends, family, and

neighbors about this serious neurological condition. The whole school participated. It was

inspired by Ms. Julia Rose, a sophomore at ILTexas Keller High. People mistreating friends with

autism strikes close to Ms. Rose’s heart as she has a young nephew with autism whom she has

grown close with. She believes individuals like her nephew should not be treated differently,

but treasured instead. The students walked around the park path behind the school. For each

lap completed, a small donation was made by parents, community members, and local

businesses.

Jim Croswell, Communications Coordinator

jcroswell@iltexas.org or by phone at 972.685.4990

Katie Sauce, Director of Marketing, Development

ksauce@iltexas.org or by phone at 972.479.9078 Ext.1002