A Masterpiece in Growth

Cammie Soto is graduating with a service learning diploma and a passion for drawing animals. 

For now, it’s uncertain what Cammie Soto will do after graduation. But one thing is for certain, she’s come out of her shell and become more independent through the support and training she’s received throughout her time with Guilford County Schools. 

Soto, who graduates this month from Christine Joyner Greene Education Center, has gained life and vocational skills through her volunteer work and will earn a service learning diploma, along with her non-disabled peers. She’s also made friends and discovered a passion for art. 

“I feel she is so independent now because of the skills she has learned over the years at Guilford County Schools. We have nothing but good things to say about all of her teachers,” says Soto’s mom, Paula Soto. “From pre-school at Gateway Education center all the way to C.J. Greene, they all gave her important things that she learned.” 

Discovering Her Passion 

Soto was diagnosed with autism when, as a toddler, her parents noticed she wasn’t starting to talk like other children her age. To their surprise, her autism diagnosis was identified as moderate to severe. Doctors had said she may never speak. Autism is a neurological and developmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts, learns and behaves. It’s a broad and lifelong spectrum in which traits and support varies widely. Some with autism can live independently, while others may need significant daily assistance. 

“I never expected her to speak because she was six-years-old and she still was not speaking. So I resigned myself that she’s going to be nonverbal,” Paula says. “Then she hit her seventh birthday. It was like, everything clicked” 

Cammie, who can respond to questions with prompting and some guidance, speaks in a soft, sweet voice. She’s really good at asking for what she wants, Paula says—as well as communicating what she doesn’t like or want.  

“She always verbalizes her schedule—breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. That’s what she uses for a base and then we plan our days around that,” says Paula. “I will give her choices and she is always verbal about her preferences.” 

In the last stretch of her final year at school, Cammie discovered a passion for drawing. She especially loves to draw animals. She asked her parents for books about drawing and references them to create her own works of art. 

“She loves animals—farm animals, pets, wild animals,” Hill says. “She’s really happy and relaxed when drawing animals. She is determined to get her animal to look like the one she is using as a model. She finds videos of how to draw animals and then draws them.” 

“Her drawing skills have really skyrocketed over the last three, four months,” says her father, Eddie Soto. 

When she runs out of art supplies, she tells her parents right away that she needs more. She even orders her own supplies.  

“She’s an electronics whiz. She shops Amazon on my phone and finds what she wants and then adds to cart. Then we go over when to expect the items,” Paula says. “Sometimes it’s two days, sometimes it’s two months, and she will count down every day until she gets the items.”  

Learning, Serving and Diploma-Ready 

Cammie will receive her service learning diploma for her volunteer work at The Salvation Army and the Ragsdale YMCA, which have also helped her learn responsibility and gain job experience. At school, she’s also learned basic life skills and she’s able to help out at home. She can start her own laundry, take out the trash and help with the dishwasher.  

Her parents say that she’s eager to please and likes to be praised when she does something well.  

“She’s so empathetic to others’ needs,” Hill says. “She knows how to express when it’s time to do household chores.  

Cammie’s teacher, Megan Taylor, says she’s witnessed her progress in communication, independent living and pre-vocational skills.  

“What makes Cammie stand out is her ability to learn routines quickly and her attention to detail,” Taylor says. “I will miss Cammie’s beautiful smile and hard work ethic.” 

Cammie’s parents credit her teachers for her development. 

“They were all wonderful,” Eddie Soto says. “They don’t get enough recognition or credit for what they do. They did an awesome job with my daughter. I never would have thought when she was six-years-old that she’d be able to answer questions. She is where she is because of them”