Autism Doesn’t Slow Class Valedictorian
Being the class valedictorian is notable for anyone. Then there’s Lee Alderman, an autistic student graduating at the top of his class in the nation’s capital.
The 141 seniors graduating from Cardozo Senior High School gave him a standing ovation after his graduation speech.
At the ceremony at Howard University, Alderman, 19, thanked teachers and fellow graduates for helping him overcome his social and academic obstacles.
Alderman has mild autism and was attending private school in Northern Virginia until two years ago when his mother, Hazel Robinson, decided the school was too easy for him.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.