Eleven-year-old Samuel Henderson, of Choctaw, Oklahoma, wanted to compete in a school talent show, but no student from special education had ever participated. Yet, he had a unique talent that he wanted to share: He can perfectly imitate about 50 birds.

Choctaw

Samuel Henderson, an 11-year-old student from Choctaw, Oklahoma, has a unique talent for perfectly imitating around 50 different bird calls. Despite being autistic and having Tourette's Syndrome, Samuel became the first special education student to participate in the Nekoma Park Intermediate School Talent Show.

Initially, Samuel's mother was concerned about how his performance would be received, but encouragement from his teacher led him to take the stage. His bird call performance surprised and impressed his peers, earning him widespread admiration and applause. Since then, Samuel has become well-known among his classmates, inspiring others with his courage and talent.

Student's unique talent that's for the birds

Steve Hartman has a story that's truly for the birds. That is not a blue jay you're hearing, not a robin, nor a tufted titmouse. Those sounds are all coming from a Samuel, an 11-year-old Samuel Henderson. I actually quite enjoy this. Samuel, who is autistic and has Tourette's Syndrome, can perfectly imitate 50 birds. What's the hardest bird to do? Probably the barn swallow. How's that go? Do you ever think you might be a bird? Yeah. Some people say that I swallowed birds. But you haven't swallowed any birds? No. Well, chickens. Okay. The kid is a born entertainer. Because we eat chicken. Yeah, I know. I got it. But since he mostly practiced his calls on the playground, alone along the back fence, a lot of kids at his Choctaw, Oklahoma school hadn't ever heard. Until the annual Nekoma Park Intermediate School Talent Show. Samuel really wanted to compete. But no kid from special ed had ever participated. And this would be mostly singing and dancing and band instruments. So, bird sounds? His mother was nervous. Some kids can be mean. And the thought of that happening to him on stage in front of the whole school. Yes. It would just break my heart if that were to have happened. But Lori says his teacher convinced her that Samuel needed to spread his wings, so to speak. So, he took to the stage. At first, the other kids didn't know what to think. It really sounded like there was a bird in the building. Exactly right. I was like, what is this? This is a bird eagle. But as he continued and laid his passion bare, jaws dropped. The crowd came alive, and Samuel was not only accepted, he was admired. He's really brave. It takes a lot of courage to get yourself up there. He aced it. I don't think I saw one single kid not clapping their hands. The kids are roaring. I was so happy to see him living his dreams. My heart just exploded. It's been more than a year since that talent show. And guess who now rocks the playground? Who? Samuel. That's who. Everyone here can do a peacock. It goes like this. Now that's something to crow about.

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