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BY AIDAN GRAHAM
It was a silent rave with a loud
message.
Students and faculty gathered
in Sheepshead Bay’s Connie
Lekas School on April 13 to
raise awareness for autism.
The school, which serves
students with special needs
from 12 to 21 years old, held
the annual installment of
“Light It Up Blue,” featuring
a silent rave, as kids danced
to music from noise-cancelling
headphones, according
to an organizer.
“Young people these days
are listening with noise reduction
headphones, which is
perfect for people with autism
because they react so much to
sound, which makes it hard to
concentrate. So, our principal,
Antoinette Rose, planned a silent
disco,” said Marcia Cacaci.
“The kids were able to dance
just like everyone else.”
More than 150 people attended
the event, held at 2525
Haring St., which also featured
food, arts and crafts, and
games designed for children
with special needs.
“We had arts and crafts, face
painting, a bouncy house. And
we had a room full of adapted
physical activities, like bowling,”
Cacaci said.
She called the event a success
in raising awareness about
autism and provided good fun
for the school children.
“We are just focused on
the children’s happiness,”
she said.
HAVING FUN FOR A CAUSE: (Left) Ashley Alcindor gets her face painted
by Kathy of Kathy’s Face Painting. (Above) Amber Krupa eats a cupcake
she made. Photos by Steve Solomonson
Silence speaks volumes
/AUTOSHOWNY.COM