Thomas Albero, St. Anthony’s Student, Wins Fourth Annual “Autism Can Do” Scholarship

Huntington NY

03 May, 2022

3:23 PM

Description

Thomas Albero, a senior at St. Anthony’s High School, has won the Autism Can Do Scholarship for 2022. The scholarship is offered by John’s Crazy Socks and is co-sponsored by the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism and Rangam. Thomas’s submission was selected from more than 200 entries from across the United States and Canada. A resident of Northport, Thomas is the first New York State resident to win the scholarship. The Autism Can Do Scholarship is open to a person with autism who is or will be a high school graduate. Applicants must submit a sock design – after all, the Scholarship was created by the world’s largest sock company – and submit a personal statement. Thomas’s winning design has the theme, “I Dig History.” As the first-place winner, Thomas will receive a $5,000 scholarship and John’s Crazy Socks will produce the socks he designed and will sell them in their online store.  In his personal statement, Thomas wrote, “I don't let people's perception of special education students define me, I know we have infinite possibilities.” Thomas will attend Drexel University in the fall where he intends to study economics and then attend law school. Thomas is an Eagle Scout. At St. Anthony’s High School, the senior is a member of the Quiz Bowl and Mock Trial Teams. The First Runner Up, Jacob Eric Brinton of Highland, Utah, will receive a $2,500 scholarship and the Second Runner Up, David James Etherage of Olympia, Washington, will receive a $1,000 scholarship. John Cronin co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks, said, “I am so happy for the winners. They produced awesome designs and show what is possible when you give a person an opportunity.” Mark X. Cronin, Co-founder at John’s Crazy Socks, said, “The Autism Can Do Scholarship is a key component in our mission to show what people with differing abilities can do.” The John’s Crazy Socks “Autism Can Do” Scholarship presents $8,500 in scholarships to a person on the autism spectrum in the United States or Canada to use at a college or trade school.  John’s Crazy Socks created the “Autism Can Do” Scholarship as part of its Giving Back Program and its mission to show what people can do when given a chance. More than half the employees at John’s Crazy Socks have a differing ability and many of them are on the autism spectrum. Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism has a mission to help people and families affected by autism live life to the fullest. To learn more about the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism please visit their website www.flutiefoundation.org. About Rangam Rangam is a minority-, woman-, and disability-owned workforce solutions company with a mission to promote "Employment for Everyone," including people with disabilities, autism, and neurodivergence, in addition to service veterans.  About John’s Crazy Socks John’s Crazy Socks was inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks—what he calls his “crazy socks.” He and his father, Mark X. Cronin, started the company as a social enterprise with a mission of Spreading Happiness™. With more than 4,000 socks, John’s Crazy Socks is now the world’s largest sock store.  For more information about John’s Crazy Socks, visit our webpage, Facebook page, Instagram account or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at [email protected].