Gear Up for Autism Brings Community Together Through Inclusion at Columbus
- Joseph Busatto
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
by Oscar Pinto
A typical Sunday at Christopher Columbus High School is quiet. This weekend, though, the campus filled with energy as students, families and volunteers came together for the annual Gear Up for Autism event—an afternoon built around games, connection and inclusion.
The Event
The event is structured so that once a child arrives, they are paired with a male student from Columbus High School or a female student from one of its partner schools: Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, St. Brendan High School or Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart.
Throughout the day, students and their partners move through different activities like basketball, games and group stations. Volunteers stay with their partners the entire time, helping, encouraging and making sure they feel comfortable. The focus is on participation and connection, giving each child a chance to be involved and enjoy the experience at their own pace.
For many student volunteers, the day offers an opportunity to earn service hours and give back through inclusion. For the children attending, however, it means more. It is a chance to be part of a community—to be seen and heard.
“I love playing with my buddy,” said event attendee Benjamin Monglow.
Two Columbus students founded the event during their time at Columbus, aiming to create opportunities for those who may not otherwise have them and to give students exposure to children different from themselves.
What started as a small idea has grown into an event that continues to bring together multiple schools and families each year, expanding its reach across the community.
“Sebastian and I created Gear Up for Autism to provide an opportunity for students on the spectrum who didn’t get a chance to participate in overnight sports,” said Diego Ramos, co-founder of Gear Up for Autism.
A Personal Mission
The event holds deep personal meaning for Diego, who started it with his best friend, Sebastian Oritz. During his sophomore year of high school, Sebastian was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric cancer and died during his junior year.
Despite that loss, Diego continued the event in his honor. What began as a small initiative has grown into something larger than a single day—an ongoing mission centered on inclusion and opportunity.
Each year, the event serves as both a tribute and a reminder of why it started, with volunteers and families returning and new participants joining.
For Diego, the impact goes beyond the volunteers, parents and children attending.
“If only you could see what your few days have done to the world, and what you would have done if you had more, thank you,” Diego said about Sebastian's impact.
Sebastian’s legacy continues through the event, leaving a lasting impact on the Columbus community and the lives it reaches each year.
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