John David Cochingyan Rawlins or "JD" (now, 20 years old) is a student at the Transition Campus of Burlington County Special Services School District (BCSSSD). He is a "Special Olympics of New Jersey" (SONJ), "USA Swimming" (USAS) 'MidAtlantic', and "US Masters Swimming" (USMS) competitive swimming athlete who has a muscular built that is being, abundantly, fed by his own self-programmed food regimen that he, scrupulously, prepares himself without any help. Yes, JD cooks! He is a lover of the arts; such as: Arts and crafts (including: culinary arts), graphic designs, music, and dance. JD is an ASL (American Sign Language) signer in his school and in his home. He signed for BCSSSD's Holiday Shows in years 2020 (Video), 2021 (Video), 2022 (LIVE), and 2023 (LIVE). He was on stage signing the USA National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner" and the Special Olympics of New Jersey Athletes' Oath in the Opening Ceremonies of SONJ Summer Games 2022, 2023, and 2024 held in The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), Trenton, NJ. He signed the Opening of the SONJ Summer Games 2024. JD teaches Beginners' ASL for free, together with mentor, Silky Stone, at the Willingboro Public Library (WPL) every other Saturday that started in September 2023. The WPL ASL Class had their first and third performances at Brookdale Westampton, an Assisted Living Home specializing in Dementia / Alzheimer's Disease. Second performance was at YMCA Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Being Autistic, JD is very meticulous in reaching his goals, paying full attention to every single, minute detailed perfection in and of about everything and anything. JD received two similar awards for being a role model to his peers from Rancocas Valley Red Devils Boys Varsity Swim Team and from BCSSSD, both in school year 2020-2021. On December 20th, 2022, JD received a Proclamation from the State of New Jersey Senator Stanfield, Assemblyman Umba, and Assemblyman Torrissi for being "an example and an inspiration to fellow citizens of all ages" through his "accomplishment of becoming a published author"; signed by NJ Senate President Scutari and Assembly Speaker Coughlin, and attested by Senate Secretary Metzger and Assembly Clerk Burley. JD has been an author and illustrator of his own comic book creations, publishing every three (3) months with Publication Dates: January 29th, April 29th, July 29th, and October 29th, always on the dot. This year 2024, JD continues with this same schedule of Publication Dates.
