Wednesday, April 9, 2014 • page 17
Elon kicks off Autism Awareness
Month with benefit concert in irazu
Kelsey Higgins
Senior Reporter
Junior Kelsey McCabe kicked off the
Autism Speaks U benefit concert at Mid
night Meals in Irazu with the staggering
facts about autism.
“About one in every 68 children is diag
nosed with autism,” McCabe said.
Started in 2008, Autism Speaks U is a
campus organization that works to raise
awareness about autism and its effects on
individuals, families and society.
“A lot of it, in terms of student participa
tion, are things like the benefit concerts, but
also bake sales and College Coffee tables,”
McCabe said. “We also go to school gyms
and play tvith kids with Down syndrome,
autism and other disabilities, and we have
babysitting things at night.”
The first benefit concert took place Feb.
ruary 2013, but this year, because of all
the snow and ice days, it was delayed until
April, which is National Autism Awareness
Month.
“Autism Speaks U is an organization
that’s worth following because no one really
ever truly knows what someone with special
needs might be going through,” said junior
Ethan Wing, who played guitar during the
show. “It’s always good to get this sort of
information out there and get some more
support.”
The official color for autism awareness is
blue, and many in attendance sported the
color. There were free baked goods, pens,
temporary tattoos, stickers and brochures
with information about autism for all those
who came.
The group will also help sponsor the “Face
Off for Autism” lacrosse game at Rhodes
Stadium on April 15, a “Rock Out Autism”
band concert at Fat Frogg on April 23 and a
panel discussion on autism on April 25.
“I actually came to Elon my freshman
year wanting to do a benefit concert,” Mc
Cabe said. “I was in a band in high school
and the drummer started this concert called
‘Rock Out Autism.’”
One of Elon’s co-ed a cappella groups,
'Fital Signs, opened the show with “Who’s
Loving You,” “Brave” and “Pompeii.” The
night also featured a few solo perform
ers and Elon’s all-female a cappella group.
Sweet Signatures.
“I heard about Autism Speaks U through
a couple of events they did last year,” said ju
nior Jenna Hokanson, who performed solo
during the show. “Give Autism U as much
attention as you can. They are a great orga
nization here on campus, and they do a lot
more than people think they do.”
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RACHEL INGERSOLL I Staff Photographer
Juniors Kelsey McCabe and Ethan Wing perform at the second annual Autism Speaks U benefit concert.