Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/96437
"It is one of the happiest times of the week, for them and for us. These are real people, not just people with disabilities." Lewis Burik '15 Lewis Burik's first love is sports. He plays on Latin's basketball and baseball teams, and is captain of his Welles Park American Youth Football traveling team. And, as much as he is attracted to the competition, strategy and physical activity of sports, he is equally passionate about the sense of community being part of a team brings. So, when one of his peers on the football team told him about the struggles that his sibling with autism goes through, Lewis was quick to want to support efforts to help him and others with this disorder. Taking an idea from another school, Lewis and classmate Miles Baker decided to raise funds for the national Autism Speaks organization by selling frozen icy treats called Cool Pops. They also founded an Autism Speaks club in the middle school. "Our main purpose was to raise awareness by educating our peers about autism, and our second goal was to raise money for research," says Lewis. In addition to the Cool Pops fundraiser, Lewis and his peers in the Autism Speaks club have presented at middle school assemblies, organized a volleyball tournament and they have other money-raising projects in the works. Beyond Autism Speaks, Lewis also combines his love for sports and commitment to community and service by accompanying middle school math teacher Eve Bonneau on weekly trips to play basketball with the residents of Misericordia, a community that supports children and adults with developmental disabilities. When Lewis talks about those Thursday outings, a shy smile lights up his face. He earnestly explains: "It is one of the happiest times of the week, for them and for us. These are real people, not just people with disabilities. They look forward to our visits, and I do, too. I get such personal reward from being there. There are those cool moments when someone who normally doesn't play makes a shot. Everyone celebrates! The residents are so outgoing, whatever effort you give, they give it right back to you." For the Burik family, service is a part of who they are and what they do, whether serving in a soup kitchen or serving the Pilsen community's YMCA. Even the football cleats that were used for Lewis' sports-themed Bar Mitzvah party were later donated to the Y. In May, Lewis will participate in the Walk Now For Autism event with friends. For Lewis, the walk's kick-off couldn't be at a more appropriate location – Soldier Field. The passions for sports and for service are just part of life for Lewis Burik. This self-effacing, humble seventh grader is modest about his dedication. "It's like my football team," says Lewis. "Different people, across schools, across ages, bringing it all together, working together. It is the language of collaboration, working toward a goal." n Latin School of Chicago 7