For Anthony Silecchia III, receiving the RVC Blue Speaks scholarship was about much more than the $1,000 award. It was validation of years of perseverance and a chance to inspire others on the autism spectrum.
The South Side High School graduate was selected as the Rockville Centre School District’s 2026 RVC Blue Speaks scholarship recipient, one of 11 students from school districts across Long Island recognized for their determination, character and plans to pursue higher education or trade school.
“It was such an amazing moment,” Silecchia said. “My whole life I’ve been trying to find a way to support other people on the spectrum or with any other disability. It made me feel like what I’ve done made a difference in people’s lives.”
Diagnosed with autism at age 2, Silecchia attended Wilson Elementary School before progressing through the Rockville Centre school district in inclusion classes with one-to-one support. This fall, he will begin studying hospitality management at the University of Mississippi, where his older sister, Julia, is already a student.
His parents credit the district’s teachers, aides and support staff for helping him reach a milestone that once seemed uncertain.
“He has come a very long way because of the district and all the people we’ve met along the way,” his mother, Regina, said. “He’s graduating with a Regents diploma and now he’s going to college.”
Silecchia’s growth extended well beyond the classroom. During high school, he played four years of football, earning the team’s Scout Team Player of the Year award, competed in track, bowling and tennis, and volunteered as a referee and commentator for basketball programs serving athletes with disabilities.
“It’s not just about what you can do physically,” Silecchia said. “It’s what you can do for the team and the people around you.”
Among the educators who made the biggest impact were his one-to-one aide, Carolyn Dunster, and math teacher Marisa Buckley, whom he credits with helping him succeed academically and personally.
Silecchia hopes to one day manage a hotel, possibly at Walt Disney World, or lead a business that creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
His father, Anthony Jr., said his son’s ambitions challenge many common misconceptions about autism.
“I think a lot of the expectations early on were that people with autism tend to withdraw from larger social scenes,” he said. “Anthony wants to go to a big school. He’s not withdrawing. He’s engaging in everything, and he’s doing it at levels that even typical people sometimes can’t do.”
Since its founding in 2017, RVC Blue Speaks has awarded 54 scholarships to graduating seniors on the autism spectrum for qualities that are not always reflected by grades alone.
“For them to be acknowledged for their hard work and their kindness means an awful lot,” said co-chair Mary Lou Cancellieri. “Some tell us they’ve never received an award before.”
Silecchia hopes his journey encourages younger students facing similar challenges.
“Don’t let what other people say judge you,” he said. “Make every moment count and never give up.”
