NORTH BRUNSWICK – A North Brunswick Township High School student is following in the footsteps of her idol.
Senior Ally Abad will participate in the NJ Walks for TS event to bring awareness to Tourette syndrome (TS) in honor of Tim Howard, a fellow North Brunswick native and United States men’s national soccer team goalie, who also has TS.
“This will be my last year at NBTHS so I would love to dedicate my walk this year to my fellow NBTHS alum, Tim Howard. I am naming my team Tim’s NB Raiders,” Ally said in a prepared statement.
Howard, currently with the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer, has been an outspoken advocate for TS and worked with N.J. Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders (NJCTS) to create the Tim Howard Leadership Academy.
The academy takes place at Rutgers University each summer and is designed to develop self-leadership, advocacy skills and resilience in teens with TS, according to the statement.
Ally attended the academy in 2014 and 2015.
“I am going to try and recruit as many of my fellow classmates to walk with me this year to show Tim how much I and the school support him in his efforts to bring awareness to TS. I think it is because of his efforts, both on and off the field, that have made my four years
in high school a success,” she said in the statement. “His bringing awareness to the community at large has helped pave the way for me and other students facing the challenges of TS.”
Ally will walk at Sandy Hook National Park on April 29 weather-permitting.
“I plan on combining my walk with a beach clean to celebrate my chosen career path after graduation: marine biologist,” she said.
Proceeds from the walk benefit NJCTS programs including education outreach and the NJCTS Tim Howard Leadership Academy. To make a donation, visit www.njcts.org/teamally.
