David Mason crossed his fingers and squeezed his eyes shut as he listened to the announcement that confirmed his dream: This Culver City High School senior, an autistic youth enrolled in the campus' special education program, was named homecoming king after a landslide vote.
Fireworks exploded as last year's king plopped a fake gold crown on David's head. And the crowd in the bleachers cheered wildly.
For the 2,096 students and teachers of Culver City High, Mason's reign as homecoming king tells of a remarkable bonding that has taken place at their school between a small group of special education students and the rest of the student body.
"Even though this school may seem like it's, you know, all about football and all that, we have more respect than you think," said 10th-grader Paul Corker. "The homecoming king contest here is not a popularity contest. We don't just give it to football stars. We give it to people who deserve it."
Autism is a neurological condition with symptoms that can limit a person's ability to communicate, form relationships and respond appropriately to the environment. It affects each individual differently and to varying degrees.
One in every 166 U.S. children suffers from an autism spectrum disorder, according to an estimate by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children with autism typically have trouble speaking, playing with others and following instructions.
David, 17, has some problems expressing himself and forming social relationships, said teacher Doreen Donahue.
"But he has overcome all of those things in such an amazing way," Donahue said. "He has captured the hearts and imaginations of all the kids at the school."
His special education program has focused on teaching him how to interact with others, including taking some classes with mainstream students.
"David is extremely popular, extremely well liked," said the school's principal, Franca Dell'Olio. "Of course the kids are going to elevate him to the king status, because he is just like them.... These students have moved beyond tolerance to acceptance."
David, who is in a class designed for students with moderate to severe disabilities, was nominated to the court by one of his classmates. He had competition; contenders included a football player and a youth involved in student government.
