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Autism awareness month sported by local wrestling senior

By Staff | Apr 6, 2016

Angelo Barberio, a Muncy High School senior diagnosed with autism, placed sixth in his weight class at the state level for wrestling. He designed the singlets that the senior wrestlers wore using the autism logo on the leg front to help promote autism awareness.

MUNCY – Angelo Barberio, a local senior at Muncy High School, not only won a district title for wrestling, but he has accomplished so many milestones during his years at school.

As a very young boy, he was diagnosed in the autism spectrum. The son of Tom Barberio and Mary Bennardi of Muncy, Angelo said he has been wrestling since he was in first grade. Now a senior he realized looking back how fortunate he was “to be able to function so well in this world.”

“I was lucky,” he said, “because my parents took me to many places for lots of support when I was very young.” He credits not only his caring parents and family, but also the Children’s Development Center (CDC), his teachers and his peers. “I pushed myself to do it,” Angelo said about his autism. He said his biggest challenge so far in life was “not giving in to giving up!”

He said the CDC really helped him as he was growing up. ” I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them. They helped me with table manners, family values and how to interact and work with my classmates, and to adapt fairly well in school.”

He said his parents drove him all over to hospitals when he was younger to help with his diagnosis. “Sometimes it would take me 200 times to do it, before I got it right,” said Angelo with the spirit of someone who knows no tomorrow. “My teachers understood and they told me to never give up on a task.” Angelo said he felt especially close to his 4th grade teacher, Mr. Williams who shared his love of sports.

A close up view of the special autism logo ribbon that appears as part of the design on the singlets for the Muncy High School wrestlers.

Throughout school Angelo continued playing sports. “Starting in first grade, I did multiple sports.” His accomplishments include gymnastics and karate until he was 14.

He added, “I love college sports, football and wrestling.” He said he would often stay after school and enjoy conversations with his teachers especially talking about sports and basketball. “I also love the Pirates, Steelers and the Pittsburgh teams.”

Angelo also said his involvement with sports taught him how to budget time.

Meanwhile, Angelo has been accepted with scholarships to the American University in Washington, D.C. where he will continue the sport of wrestling in addition to his academics.

“I am undecided, but I am leaning towards healthcare. I always wanted to help other people growing up.” He mentioned physical therapy and having the opportunity “to be able to help others who have autism,” he said.

The autism logo ribbon was part of the Muncy uniforms worn by the senior wrestlers during the district tournaments this year. Coach Denny Harer hopes to keep Angelo Barberio's design for future wrestlers.

To promote autism awareness, Angelo and his mother planned a surprise for the senior wrestlers when they designed and purchased new wrestling uniforms for Muncy High School. “I want to send a message and give people hope like me. If you can do it, other people can,” Angelo said referring to autism.

Using the school colors, Angelo surprised the seniors with the singlets. It took 4 weeks and the original design was done at home on the computer and the uniforms were delivered around Christmas time. The autism logo appears on the front bottom leg.

“The singlets looked amazing, I couldn’t wait to wear them in my first district tournament and represent the cause with pride,” said Jordan King, one of the Muncy senior wrestlers who received one. The other boys who also received special wrestling singlet were Avian Berry, Cameron Good and Jaime Moyle. “They get to keep them,” added Angelo with pride.

Autism awareness month sported by local wrestling senior

By Staff | Apr 6, 2016

Angelo Barberio, a Muncy High School senior diagnosed with autism, placed sixth in his weight class at the state level for wrestling. He designed the singlets that the senior wrestlers wore using the autism logo on the leg front to help promote autism awareness.

MUNCY – Angelo Barberio, a local senior at Muncy High School, not only won a district title for wrestling, but he has accomplished so many milestones during his years at school.

As a very young boy, he was diagnosed in the autism spectrum. The son of Tom Barberio and Mary Bennardi of Muncy, Angelo said he has been wrestling since he was in first grade. Now a senior he realized looking back how fortunate he was “to be able to function so well in this world.”

“I was lucky,” he said, “because my parents took me to many places for lots of support when I was very young.” He credits not only his caring parents and family, but also the Children’s Development Center (CDC), his teachers and his peers. “I pushed myself to do it,” Angelo said about his autism. He said his biggest challenge so far in life was “not giving in to giving up!”

He said the CDC really helped him as he was growing up. ” I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them. They helped me with table manners, family values and how to interact and work with my classmates, and to adapt fairly well in school.”

He said his parents drove him all over to hospitals when he was younger to help with his diagnosis. “Sometimes it would take me 200 times to do it, before I got it right,” said Angelo with the spirit of someone who knows no tomorrow. “My teachers understood and they told me to never give up on a task.” Angelo said he felt especially close to his 4th grade teacher, Mr. Williams who shared his love of sports.

A close up view of the special autism logo ribbon that appears as part of the design on the singlets for the Muncy High School wrestlers.

Throughout school Angelo continued playing sports. “Starting in first grade, I did multiple sports.” His accomplishments include gymnastics and karate until he was 14.

He added, “I love college sports, football and wrestling.” He said he would often stay after school and enjoy conversations with his teachers especially talking about sports and basketball. “I also love the Pirates, Steelers and the Pittsburgh teams.”

Angelo also said his involvement with sports taught him how to budget time.

Meanwhile, Angelo has been accepted with scholarships to the American University in Washington, D.C. where he will continue the sport of wrestling in addition to his academics.

“I am undecided, but I am leaning towards healthcare. I always wanted to help other people growing up.” He mentioned physical therapy and having the opportunity “to be able to help others who have autism,” he said.

The autism logo ribbon was part of the Muncy uniforms worn by the senior wrestlers during the district tournaments this year. Coach Denny Harer hopes to keep Angelo Barberio's design for future wrestlers.

To promote autism awareness, Angelo and his mother planned a surprise for the senior wrestlers when they designed and purchased new wrestling uniforms for Muncy High School. “I want to send a message and give people hope like me. If you can do it, other people can,” Angelo said referring to autism.

Using the school colors, Angelo surprised the seniors with the singlets. It took 4 weeks and the original design was done at home on the computer and the uniforms were delivered around Christmas time. The autism logo appears on the front bottom leg.

“The singlets looked amazing, I couldn’t wait to wear them in my first district tournament and represent the cause with pride,” said Jordan King, one of the Muncy senior wrestlers who received one. The other boys who also received special wrestling singlet were Avian Berry, Cameron Good and Jaime Moyle. “They get to keep them,” added Angelo with pride.