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Young poet wins place in law firm's creative contest

BY SCOTT MONROE Staff Writer

CHINA -- Andrew Needham knows about the rewards of determination.

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The autistic 8-year-old saw a television commercial for a creative contest, sponsored by a law firm on the topic of driving safety, and he was determined to submit an entry -- even though the contest is meant for high school seniors only.

But Needham, who will be entering third grade at China Primary School, persisted and wrote a poem. Making an exception, the law firm allowed him to submit a poem and handed him a fourth-place award out of 20 winners.

Recently, at his home off Dirigo Road, Needham showed off the prizes of his winning poem: an ipod, water bottle, t-shirt and bandana and several award plaques.

"I saw the commercial on TV and I knew I had to write a poem, so I picked up a piece of paper and I wrote the poem," Needham said. "I like writing. It's fun, awesome, great."

The 6th annual "Arrive Alive Creative Contest" was sponsored by the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, of Portland, which handles personal injury cases and disability claims. The law firm says the contest -- including creative writing, artwork, videos, and music -- aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving and distracted driving.

Needham said he wrote the poem in March, found out about his winning entry on June 25 and attended an awards ceremony with his family on July 15.

His mother, Kelley Warren, said her son often struggles to focus on tasks because of autism, which makes his poetic accomplishment all the more impressive. "He's very computer-savvy and loves music," she said. "He wants to be a director."

Needham's 9-year-old brother, Brian, said he was proud of his brother and the poem's message of driving safely. So, too, was sister Stacy, 17, who said Needham is "a very intelligent young man and I love him."

Stopping in for a visit at Needham's home, Deputy Scott Cyrway, of Kennebec County Sheriff's Office, said he thought Needham's accomplishment was "cool."

"It's good coming from a young student like that who sees it from the perspective as a passenger and as a family situation," Cyrway said.

Jessica Laliberte, who teaches at China Primary School, said she got to know Needham about two years ago when he was in first grade and in the classroom beside hers. Laliberte said Needham struck her as charming, often walking with her, arm in arm, to the cafeteria or classroom.

She missed seeing him this past year, as second graders are in the other end of the building.

"Andrew could be the ray of sun on a gloomy day," she said. "He came with other students to perform a reader's theater of 'Charlotte's Web' for my class. He was Templeton. He did a great job and even wore a mouse nose. After finishing the play, Andrew did not miss a beat and began asking my children questions about the book and the play."

Laliberte said she's been amazed at Needham's ability to write poetry, especially since writing can be very difficult for autistic children. When she teaches her students a lesson on poetry, Laliberte said she uses a poem Needham wrote about pizza.

She was "so happy" to learn about his poem winning accolades .

"This is quite a feat," Laliberte said. "Too often people are quick to pass judgment on special-needs children. In my teaching career, so many of my most cherished students were ones with special needs. People need to accept them for who they are and the unique gifts they possess."

Scott Monroe -- 861-9239

smonroe@centralmaine.com