Graduation Crowd Silent for Student with Autism

"An amazing thing took place at Carmel High School’s graduation. One of our students Jack Higgins was presented with his diploma. Jack graduated after 8 years. He is a wonderful member of our student community. Jack has autism and with that comes sensory issues. At graduation the student body and several thousand individuals were asked to not clap or cheer so Jack could participate. What followed was nothing short of a miracle. We shot for the moon but instead reached the stars." - Principal Lou Riolo

[PikasNotHere]

Just going to say, the people shaking their hands in the air is the sign language for clapping.

[nathancosta]

no one searched it, but we all loved it.

[millielach]

I can imagine all the theatre kids in the back doing jazz hands like crazy

[mayadimmick]

can we please mention how great that the principal gave Jack a fist bump instead of a hand shake and that he also gave him a huge bag of sour patch kids it really shows how well he has gotten to know Jack over the years.

[pyukumuku-]

Oh I thought they were being mean by not clapping when I was reading the title

[flexmo]

Who would think silence speaks the loudest.

[vanitas]

I am actually surprised that nobody screamed when everybody else was silence.

[XenonTetrafluoride]

I don’t know about anyone else, but when his classmates stood, like a silent standing ovation, I cried. That’s how you show respect for someone without needing to make noise.

🧡

[saga]

My peers wouldn’t stay silent if you took away their vocal chords

[joshnolan]

I love how he goes straight for the sour patch kids and leaves his diploma. Mate, I think we are very alike 😂

[Jah_LEASE_yah]

He covered his ears like he was expecting them to clap. But they respected his needs and stayed silent, but they still honored him by standing for him. What a beautiful moment.

[BsART]

I loved that mom who clapped in ASL as he walked up. It shows respect to him and made me smile seeing people knowing ASL.

[rustyghost]

What a miracle, they silenced without having a teacher to tell them several times.

[auntdeen]

You could see how he was braced for the noise and didn’t like to take his hands away from his ears, even in the silent room. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to go through life in such a noisy world.

[sherrytaylor]

People came here from Snapchat

I came here because of YouTube recommended this.

[jessicamendiola]

As the mother of a special needs daughter who has other disabilities this has me in tears. His classmates are incredible young men and women who were clearly taught kindness and inclusion. I can only hope that when my 8 year old gets older that others can show her this kind of support and kindness.

[jeremygonchakhailov]

I LOVE HOW THE OTHER STUDENTS CLAP THEIR HANDS SILENTLY

[paigenichols]

I love how tht one teacher is cheering in asl

[laterboi]

Principal: don't cheer or clap
Student: doesn't cheer and clap
Principal: THIS IS MIRACLE

[Charlotte-zqlh]

As an autistic adult, this has me sobbing like a baby. So much respect.