High School Students Command Stage for
Autism Speaks’ Walk-a-Thon

Sunday, October 4, 2009, was the perfect day for The Walk Now for Autism Speaks’ 10th annual walk-a-thon at Jones Beach State Park. Commack honor students and members of the band “Half-Life”- Jordan Mayo, Andrew Resnikoff, Jacob Tesch and Aidan Scherer- came early to help hand out T-shirts and walk the 3k route along the boardwalk. The walk offered a spectacular view of the glistening ocean, sandy beach and all the smiles of the people who came out to make a difference.
Last month, the four honor students competed against local Long Island bands at the “Bands Battling Autism” fund raiser raising over $5,000. After the students’ debut performance, their band “Half-Life” was selected to play at the largest grassroots autism walk program in the United States for Autism Speaks. Lead guitarist Jordan Mayo, who volunteers to help serve the needs of children with disabilities in another local community organization called the Friendship Circle, and who is a recent member of the Long Island Autism Speaks Youth Leadership Council stated, “Their goal was to help raise awareness about autism so that one day there may be a way to prevent this disability.”

After walking the 3k trek, “Half-Life” took the stage at the main bandstand for the festival-closing set of the event. Jacob Tesch, a founding member of the Long Island Autism Youth Leadership Council stated, “It is our duty, not only as a band, but as a community to spread awareness and to try and stop autism in its tracks. I know how autism affects families, as my fourteen year old brother, Zach, was diagnosed with the disability when he was twenty- one months old." Andrew Resnikoff, a member of Student Council, said, “It is important to join the call for help to end this disability once and for all.” Aidan Scherer commented, “All the hours of practice were worth it and it was an honor to play for the kids.” The band was elated when they learned that over 27,000 people attended the walk-a-thon which helped raise over 1.1 million dollars for research and awareness programs on autism.