Northport Goes Blue For Autism Awareness

Northport High School students in the Northport-East Northport School District celebrated Autism Awareness Month with activities and a panel discussion to educate other’s and bring attention to the needs of all people with autism.

Organized by the Northport Student Union, students were encouraged to sign their names on a puzzle piece and place it on the wall in the common area of the school to show their support of autism awareness. They also could purchase T-shirts, pins, lanyards and bracelets during the two days.

Members of the school’s Future Educators Association and Buddy Club decorated the hallways with banners and large blue posters filled with facts about autism. They also created a giant puzzle piece for the school’s common area.

Outside the school building, the organizations tied blue ribbons to the trees and 10th-grader Myles Kirchner in Mr. Yarusso’s woodworking class created a “Light It Up Blue” sign for the front of the school.

Additionally, classes heard from a panel of students, a former student and a faculty member about how autism has impacted them personally. Held in the school’s Little Theater, the group educated students on how it feels to have autism or know someone with autism. They shared their personal stories in an effort to give others a better perspective.

At the conclusion of the panel discussion, audience members asked questions to those on the stage that were not answered during the period.

Story by Syntax, Photos courtesy of the Northport-East Northport School District:

1) Three current Northport High School students and one former student spoke on a panel during the school’s kickoff for Autism Awareness Month.

2) Students showed their support by placing a puzzle piece on the wall.

3) A panel discussion took place at Northport High School in honor of Autism Awareness Month.

4) Northport High School students with the “Light It Up Blue” sign outside of the building.