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Community Corner

Whiz Kid: Teen Finds Keys To Success

Lance Vardon, who is blind and has autism, shines at national competition years after 'Extreme Makeover' made his family famous.

Lance Vardon

School:

Accomplishment: Lance and the Berkley High School orchestra placed first overall in a recent New York competition. The Heritage Festival hosted nearly a dozen schools from around the country from March 31 to April 3. Lance, who is blind and has autism, is also making academic progress and continues to inspire his community.  See a video of Lance playing here.

'Anything's possible'

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Lance, who was introduced to the public in 2004 when his family received an “Extreme Makeover” on the popular television series, has come a long way over the years, said Julie Unatin, an orientation mobility specialist and teachers consultant who has worked with Lance since he was in the fourth grade and has known him since he was 2.

Unatin said when Lance was a small child, he was notably uncomfortable with other students and the many noises in the classroom. He would often be found rolled up in a fetal position, she said. It took some time to realize that Lance, who is blind, also had autism. Lance was moved from the Royal Oak Visually Impaired Program to in Berkley to participate in Oakland Schools' autism program. He moved around even more after that to get accommodations for his special needs, first to Madison Heights and then to Clawson.

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“It was in Clawson that he learned skills to cope with autism,” Unatin said. He was doing so well there, his team decided that he should advance to Berkley High School.

“He moved back to Berkley because he could,” Unatin said. “He just needed to be here in his community.”

And with him came para-pro Sheri Sienkiewicz, whom Unatin credits for helping Lance thrive at Berkley High. Lance has taken some impressive high school courses, including Spanish 3 and government, and has a strong desire to learn.

“Lance is just an amazing kid and easy to work with,” said Sienkiewicz, who has worked with Lance for nearly 10 years.

Unatin and Sienkiewicz said they have seen Lance progress over the years academically and socially.

“He loves learning,” Unatin said, adding “and the kids all love him.”

Unatin and Sienkiewicz credit music therapist Lisa Barnett for giving Lance a musical outlet and helping him advance in Berkley High's orchestra.

“The team knew how important music was for him,” Unatin said. “So, Lisa has come with him to Berkley (from Clawson's program) to work with him for orchestra class.”

An orchestra doesn't usually include a piano, but an exception was made to include Lance and his special talent.

Unatin said Lance works with the conductor, John Robertson, as well as Barnett and can play the notes of each song by ear. Lance listens to a song on tape or as the orchestra plays, then memorizes the notes to join in on the piano, Unatin explained.

A whiz at remembering everything he reads in Braille, music by ear is also second nature to Lance. In fact, Unatin says Lance's two great loves, and skills, are music and reading.

As a member of the orchestra, Lance was invited to go with his peers to New York City for the Heritage Festival. They also planned to take a trip to see “The Phantom of The Opera” while in the big city.

Sienkiewicz said Lance “was excited about going, but nervous about all the things that would be new to him.”

The team prepared Lance by playing him songs from the musical and getting him books in Braille on Ellis Island and other New York landmarks. Sienkiewicz went with Lance on the trip and said “he did amazing.”

She said he was calm and collected during his performance and, although he usually gets upset at the sound of clapping, welcomed the applause during the competition.

“He was so proud of himself,” Sienkiewicz said. The orchestra scored 98 and won the top spot at the competition.

And how did he fare on Broadway?

“He loved it,” Sienkiewicz said. “I don't know what I liked watching more, him enjoying the show or the actual show.”

Unatin said Lance will will walk across the stage at graduation this year with his senior class and receive a certificate of completion. The district will continue to educate Lance until he is 26.

Unatin said as long his future involves learning, music and reading, Lance will be happy.

“Anything's possible,” she said with pride.

Key to awesomeness: Unatin said Lance is “amazing and bright.”

Note to readers: April is Autism Awareness Month. Look for Whiz Kids throughout the month that are making great strides in Berkley's autism community. There's a lot to be proud of!

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