The Hernando High School Interact Club has been giving one particular campaign the red-carpet treatment.
Members and sponsors, though, are also looking to shine with another color. To celebrate World Autism Awareness Day April 2, a "Light It Up Blue" event is being planned at the Hernando Square from 6 to 8 p.m.
The school will be lit up blue Sunday and businesses across the city are going to receive the same treatment as grants from several organizations, including the Mississippi RiverKings' Assists for Autism, have helped purchase the bulbs.
"I've been going out and talking to all the businesses and getting them to get onboard with it," said Margaret Brennan, who along with fellow sophomore Maryasa England and freshman Anthony Veliz have been pounding the pavement. "Most people have been really excited about it."
Added co-sponsor Angela Gregg: "We've been supplying them (bulbs) to businesses around the town, and we'll supply them to anyone who wants them if they contact us."
"Service Above Self" is the Interact slogan and the project has been rolling for several months. It's one that's close to co-sponsor Holly Neel, whose 4-year-old nephew, Connor, is affected.
"Most people around here have not heard of (World Autism Awareness Day)," she said. "Our kids have been enlightened by the choice because they don't understand autism at all. They think pretty much any kid with a mental or physical disability is all the same."
Gregg, Neel and Sarah Rousse oversee a club of 30 members, but proof of the upcoming event is campuswide. Blue filters have been purchased to cover the lights for the entire month of April and students are even being encouraged to wear blue.
"We'll have puzzle pieces all over the school with facts about autism," Gregg said. "We're doing a display in the library about books with characters who have some kind of autism -- just any kind of connection that we can make with the kids."
The educational process continues around the courthouse with informational booth vendors, a musical performance by KC Johns and a proclamation from Mayor Chip Johnson declaring it Autism Awareness Day in Hernando.
Originally posted here:
Spread the hues: Hernando students paint autism awareness shades of blue