Stanwood teen fights autism with hope
Published 10:58 pm Tuesday, February 3, 2009
STANWOOD — With help from her friends, a Stanwood High School senior has raised more than $4,200 to support autism programs through a benefit concert and silent auction.
“It was amazing,” said Tara Smith, who drew inspiration for the event from her 12-year-old brother, Noah, who has autism and does not speak.
Smith had hoped for a crowd of 200 and was overwhelmed when more than 330 people filed into the high school’s performing arts center Jan. 16.
The audience included a cross-section from the community, including her former teachers, old family friends, classmates and other families with autistic children.
In the fall, as part of her senior project, Smith organized a group of more than 30 people to gather pledges and join a walk in Seattle as part of a fundraiser for autism programs. Her efforts netted more than $1,000 for Autism Speaks, a nonprofit advocacy organization.
From her perspective, that wasn’t enough.
Smith wants to help experts and society better understand the baffling neurological disorder that affects about 1.5 million Americans. Autism influences people’s ability to communicate and interact with others and is defined by behaviors that affect individuals differently and to varying degrees.
The concert combined her love for her brother and her passion for music. She has performed in musicals since she was a little girl and now teaches songs to children.
Smith is considering studying music education at Seattle Pacific University. The school also has a music therapy program, which teaches how to use music to comfort and help others.
The highlight of the evening benefit for Smith was when she performed on stage with Noah by her side.
That moment and the sense of support in the audience will be something she will long remember.
“You could really feel all the love,” she said. “You could really feel the hope.”
Two weeks after the benefit, she still has friends wearing their autism wristbands they received as part of the event.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or e-mail stevick@heraldnet.com.
