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STAMFORD, Conn. Stamford High students with autism spectrum disorders got to root for their football team from the field Saturday with the schools cheerleaders. And despite the 28-24 loss to Ridgefield, it was a memorable day for the kids.
It was an event that the autism spectrum disorder kids will never forget! I will brag about these girls for a long time to come! Robin Portanova, founder of Stamford Education 4 Autism, in an email. Portonova's son, Anthony, a junior at Stamford High, has an autism spectrum disorder.
The cheerleaders welcomed the students on the sidelines to help support the Best Buddies Program at the high school. On Wednesday, the students were invited to the squads practice, and on Saturday they got to show off their moves during the half-time show.
The cheerleaders made white T-shirts with the words Spreading Awareness in blue and a puzzle piece the symbol of autism. They also handed out Autism Awareness ribbons to everyone who attended and sold Stamford Education 4 Autism shirts and other items, raising $250 for the Best Buddies program. The cheerleading team also hosted a tailgate party for the kids before the game.
Started in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a volunteer movement that works to form one-on-one relationships between people with intellectual developmental disorders and non-impaired peers, the not-for-profit organizations website said. There are close to 1,500 chapters world-wide in middle schools, high schools and colleges, the site said.
Contact reporter Anthony Buzzeo at tbuzzeo@TheDailyStamford.com
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