TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — A fifth grader at Bonillas Traditional Elementary Magnet School in Tucson has spent years turning a personal friendship into a school-wide movement for autism awareness.
Ricki Williams began her advocacy in second grade, inspired by a close friend.
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"It's special to me because I had a friend in first grade who had autism, and she was like my best friend, so I decided to start this cause in legacy for her," Ricki said.
Her efforts have grown into school-wide assemblies and fundraising campaigns at Bonillas. Friday morning, she helped lead an assembly to encourage her classmates to spread compassion and acceptance. She also awarded her students who won her essay contest for autism awareness called Inclusion Heroes.
This year, she started a "Coins for Kindness" campaign at school and raised money for the Southern Arizona Autism Society. Last year, she says she was able to raise about $734.
"We earned $435.90 this year. I'm really happy because I like how— I'm glad people want to support it," Ricki said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 31 children are identified with autism. Ricki hopes more students will take the time to learn about it.
"I've learned like some people aren't going to support it, and that's okay. They just need to learn what it is and just be aware of it," Ricki said.
As she prepares to leave elementary school, Ricki says she plans to continue her advocacy work at her new school next year. Her mother says she is proud of her daughter for leading this effort at such a young age.
"She is the one that puts the work in, and I couldn't be more proud of her," Mischa Williams said.
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Jacqueline Aguilar is a multimedia journalist at KGUN 9. Born and raised in Yuma, AZ., she is no stranger to the unforgiving Arizona heat. Now this U of A wildcat is excited to be back in Tucson and is looking forward to involving herself in the community. Share your story ideas with Jacqueline by emailing jacqueline.aguilar@kgun9.com or connecting on Facebook, Instagram or X.
