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Plant High School student living with Autism gets national recognition for Special Olympics artwork

Posted at 6:18 PM, Sep 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-13 17:41:26-04

TAMPA, Fla. — A Plant High School student was one of nine students nationwide to have her art work become part of the Special Olympics logo.

Walking down the hallway of Plant High School, everyone knows senior Aarushi Pratap — and why wouldn’t they? She does it all from art, athletics, fashion design and she's even a barista.

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“Part of her gift with her autistic abilities is that she is so creative, she has such a creative brain,” said teacher Mary Beth Radigan.

Radigan said Plant High School couldn’t be more proud of Aarushi. Her design is among nine chosen to be part of the official 2022 Special Olympics USA Games logo.

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“I thought it was really awesome,” said Pratap.

Every aspect of the art work has significant meaning, as Pratap explained pointing to the colorful ring.

“Orange is for the Special Olympics flame, and water is for the beaches and oceans, and green is for the wild life,” said Pratap.

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Pratap isn’t done yet. Her next goal is to make the actual Olympic team. When she’s not drawing, she’s training.

“I like to do cheer and bowling and swimming and stand-up paddle board and track and bocce ball and now I’m doing power lifting,” said Pratap.

Who knows, maybe she’ll even end up designing the uniforms too. She’s already sewing her own dresses.

There will be a Special Olympics event happening this Saturday, the Hillsborough County Fall Classic at the University of Tampa. Check-in is at 8:15 a.m.