I wasn't planning on crying tonight, but here we are.
Jack has autism and has extreme sensitivity to noise. His parents, Barbara and Pat Higgins wanted Jack to participate in graduation, but were understandably concerned about if he'd be comfortable in a setting that is typically very loud surrounded by a lot of people.
Principal Lou Riolo came up with an idea & asked the school to stay silent so Jack could receive his diploma without being overstimulated.
Jack's classmates gave him a SILENT standing ovation.
**Cue the water works.**
Principal Riolo said, "The students were amazing. They are a class act and superseded expectations. For example them rising to their feet after Jack received his diploma was them. It was not preplanned and no one told them to act like that that. They felt compelled to show their support in that way. They made that amazing compassionate gesture on their own."