Light It Up Blue
Autism is a complex developmental disability that causes
problems with social interaction and communication. Symptoms
usually start before age three and can cause delays or problems in
different skills that develop from infancy to adulthood. On March
29th, St. John’s University held its second annual
Autism Awareness Day on campus called Light It Up Blue. Preparing
for Light It Up Blue (LIUB) was a long, yet exciting process. The
LIUB Committee, consisting of The School of Education, Division of
Student Affairs, and Campus Ministry, spent months of their
time to plan and coordinate this special day.
When the day finally came, the LIUB team was anxious to get
started, yet they were confident that everything would go as
planned and prepared if it did not. The first part of the day’s
events was the Commuter Breakfast which started the day with a
continental “blue breakfast” and an information session about
Autism. Also, we sold pins and bracelets and all proceeds
were donated to Autism Speaks.
Following the breakfast, St. John’s University welcomed
approximately 100 students with autism and special disabilities
from P.S. 177 to our Queens campus for a Fun Time Session. We
engaged with the children and their teachers with several coloring
activities, story time, and a special egg hunt. Kerry
Andreozzi, a sophomore in The School of Education stated that,
“working with the students made me see that this is the field that
I’m passionate to be a part of.” The School of
Education family was sad to see them go but unfortunately, they had
to get back to school. We could tell by their sad good-byes, warm
hugs, and many thank yous, that they had a wonderful
time.
As the day went on, it was time to challenge the University to
fundraise for the cause and spread awareness amongst the community.
The LIUB team set a goal of $500 to be donated to Autism Speaks.
Our fundraising team did an amazing job exceeding that goal by
selling bracelets and delicious baked goods, created by our baking
team. Since this is a university event, Athletics took on the LIUB
Fun Run in which student-athletes raised awareness by placing blue
bows and puzzle pieces around campus.
In addition, the LIUB team featured Rain Man, a 1988 drama film
written by Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass that tells the story of an
abrasive and selfish yuppie, Charlie Babbitt, who discovers that
his estranged father has died and bequeathed all of his
multimillion-dollar estate to his other son, Raymond, an autistic
savant of whose existence Charlie was unaware.
Concluding the movie was a reflection where students shared
their thoughts and feelings. Finally, the day peacefully ended with
a Candlelight Vigil in the St. Thomas More Church that placed us
“Inside Their World”. Principal Posa of PS 177 and two parents of
children with Autism shared their heart-warming stories to our
community.
Thanks to the coordinators, volunteers, students from PS 177,
and all who attended the day’s events, the Second Annual Light It
Up Blue Autism Awareness Day was a success! Seeing the smiles
on the PS 177 students’ faces made our day, knowing that awareness
had been spread satisfied us, and overachieving our $500 goal made
us proud. We hope that next year’s Light It Up Blue will be even
better.
Written by: Danielle Paige
Edited by: Ms. Foukalas and Jeffrey Park