Community Corner
Always Your Friend, No Matter Who You Are: Enfield Star Student
We all know students who excel in academics, fine arts or volunteer service. Here's one resident who is making an impact in Enfield.
ENFIELD, CT — Star Students are found in classrooms, on concert and theater stages and at debate lecterns, and out in the community doing good things to make life better for all of us. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize Star Students, and we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding kids to their neighbors.
This submission comes from Kimberly Buckingham, who nominated Tyler of Enfield.
Star local student’s name: Tyler
Star local student’s home state: Connecticut
How do you know the star local student? Child
Why do you believe the star local student should be recognized?
Tyler is my extremely creative, friendly and very social 10-year-old little boy. He has overcome so many obstacles and challenges in his young life and he’s only 10. Given a diagnosis of autism at the age of 2, we were unsure of what the future was going to hold for him. Once non-verbal and unable to express his feelings and emotions, he regressed into becoming severely self-injurious, head-banging and screaming. Tyler was unable to make friends. Tyler was never invited to birthday parties and frequently turned away from after school programs, discouraged from joining clubs and other activities. Today, after years of receiving therapy, supports and a lot of advocating, Tyler has become a VERY verbal and social “ham.” He has been welcomed with opened arms by coach Marie and coach John of the Manchester Challengers (an adaptive baseball team for children and adults with special needs) and by coach Murray of the Tiny Titans. He always gets the crowd cheering for him no matter where he is. Tyler has come so far that he was even able to participate and sing in the Prudence Crandall chorus. Congratulations Tyler, my strong little man, for always giving each day your very best with that incredible smile and beautiful personality.
What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star local student?
Tyler will always be your friend no matter who you are.
Congratulations on your achievements, and all of our best wishes to you in the future, Tyler.
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Know an outstanding student? Nominate them here.
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