When one of Carmel High School’s students needed a little special treatment on graduation day, his classmates, teachers, and members of the audience were more than willing to help.
Jack Higgins, a graduating senior with autism, and his parents wanted him to be able to celebrate his graduation like his fellow classmates and get to walk across the stage to receive his diploma. But a loud screaming audience wasn’t the best environment for Jack, as he is very sensitive to noises.
It took Jack eight years to graduate, as he is nonverbal, so this was a monumental day for him. Because of this, Jack’s parents approached Carmel’s principal Lou Riolo to come up with a solution.
In the large gymnasium, fit for 2,200 cheering fans and students, an amazing thing took place.