For the past three years, a group of employees, students, and parents from Forsyth County Schools have been working together, as a team, in Georgia’s annual Walk Now for Autism Speaks. This event raises money for Autism research. The walk team, from Forsyth County Schools, uses t-shirt sales as part of their fundraising efforts. This year’s walk will be held on May 20 at the Atlantic Station.

In 2011, the school system held a system wide art contest for the t-shirt design to be used on the fundraiser shirts. The artwork completed by West Forsyth High School student, Megan Jewell, was voted as the winner for the 2012 t-shirt design.

Jewell says that her favorite hobby is drawing, and she wants to be an artist when she grows up.

“I wanted to design the Autism t- shirt for other people from Forsyth County because I believe they can find a cure for Autism," she said.

Jewell, who has Autism, says that it was her participation with the Special Olympics that inspired her to want to be a part of the Walk for Autism. She hopes to teach others about Autism awareness.

The t-shirt that Jewell designed is being sold at schools throughout Forsyth County. The t-shirt can also be purchased at Big Frog Custom T-Shirts located at 1070 Marketplace Boulevard, Cumming.

Visit the Forsyth County Schools' Walk for Autism Web site for more information.