PJP students create autism video

Later this year, several students from Pope John Paul II School in Bolton will help create a video on autism, which will be distributed to more than 500 schools who support the Autism Society with various fund-raisers.

Every year the Autism Society of Ontario runs the Toonies for Autism campaign across the province and every year Pope John Paul II school in Bolton is among the top supporters. As part of the campaign, a professional video is produced and distributed to the more than 500 schools across Ontario that register for the fund-raiser.

This year, Toonie organizers asked Pope John Paul II school to participate in the production of the informative video for its 2006 campaign. The video will involve five skits that simulate what it is like to live with autism and will be shot in a professional soundstage in Toronto in December. Several lucky students from grades 7 and 8 will be selected to participate in the video Ricar Giaschini, Matthew Geiser, Stephen Vani, Christina Guido, Lauren Donnelly, Caterina Durante, Holly Jeffcock, Kori de Boer, Vicotirica Hegedus, Lenka Baloghova, Lisa Pallotta, Alyssa DesRoches, Casey Gillis, and Jessica Didiani. What a unique and great opportunity for these students.

Tuesday November 22, 2005 Tyler James Holgate, a former Pope John Paul II School student and aspiring author featured in the New York Times Book Review, paid a visit to his kindergarten teacher Natalie Masucci. Tyler gave her a signed copy of his first published book Follow the Monkey to thank her for her belief in him and assistance when he started school.

Follow the Monkey is a picture book for children and is dedicated to everyone who lives with autism. At the age of 7, Tyler James Holgate was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Despite his condition, Tyler has some amazing artistic abilities which were evident since kindergarten. He was able to communicate well through his early drawings to more detailed sketches of sea creatures, reptiles, jungle animals and dragons. Tyler's imaginative world opened up to this children's book at age 13. The book is a testament to all children and adults with autism that there are opportunities for them to shine in the world. Pope John Paul II School will be purchasing several copies of this book for their school library and have asked Tyler to come back and share his experiences with students as part of their annual Toonies for Autism campaign in the new year.

All these wonderful and varied activities at Pope John Paul II are helping to put the pieces together for increased autism awareness.