Rising to the Occasion

 

Jack Higgins, a senior from Putnam County, New York, is well known and often seen in the hallways, classrooms, and library at Carmel High School. Due to his severe autism, Jack is super sensitive to sounds and sometimes wears headphones to help block out noises. With graduation approaching, Jack’s parents, Barbara and Pat Higgins, approached his teacher, Erin Appelle, to talk about concerns and a possible plan for the graduation ceremony. Principal Lou Riolo reminded them of a banner that is on display as people enter the school: “What’s Best for Kids.” Now was the time to decide what was best for Jack. They knew he would be overwhelmed if he had to sit for hours with the excitement and the congratulatory noise that is typical of this kind of ceremony. On the day of graduation, Principal Riolo approached the podium and explained Jack’s sensitivity to noise. He then explained that Jack would be graduating first, before any of the other festivities began, and asked that there be no cheering or clapping. Escorted to the stage by his two brothers and aide Rob Ancona, there was silence as a nervous Jack walked across the stage and shook hands with the principal. One by one, the seniors rose and gave their classmate a standing ovation and silently clapped, until he had crossed the stage and exited the area. Riolo commented, “The students were amazing. They are a class act and superseded expectations. For example them rising to their feet after Jack received his diploma was them. They made that amazing compassionate gesture on their own. I have been lucky and blessed to see some remarkable things in my 31 year career but this so far has to be the most incredible. But as much as the students rose to the occasion so did Jack. Since Jack is very limited verbally, how overwhelming was it for him with a large crowd and expectation that it would be loud? It was so brave of him to take that walk which must have seemed like forever and he did it with grace, class and strength.”

Whenever the opportunity comes, may we, too, be quick to rise to the occasion and do our part to make it better for others.

 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,

Hebrews 10:24