Samuel Henderson is a grade school student at Nikoma Park Intermediate School in Choctaw, Oklahoma. He has autism and Tourette’s syndrome and is in special education classes at the school. He spends much of his recess time alone, standing near the fence separating the school grounds from the forest. It is there that Samuel hones his unique talent. The young man can mimic the sounds of 50 different birds.
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None of the students knew about Samuel’s exceptional talent. He was eager to share his fondness for bird sounds with fellow students and wanted to enter the school talent show. Although his mom was hesitant, his teacher was supportive and urged his mom to allow him to participate. So Samuel prepared for the show.
He collected stuffed versions of the birds he would mimic onstage. Carrying them in a canvas bag, he stepped up to the microphone. With the first bird sound, students, parents, and staff began looking around the room. Samuel held up a bald eagle, then duplicated its call.
One by one, Samuel cycled through the bird sounds, matching the stuffed birds he had brought. The crowd was silent, mouths gaping at the perfect bird sounds they were hearing but not believing. When CBS News interviewed students after the show, they shared their amazement. Most thought Samuel was brave for getting on the stage. All were impressed by his ability to mimic the sounds of birds so accurately.
It’s been a year since that first talent show, and CBS News stopped by the school to follow up. Samuel is now a hit on the playground and is working on teaching his fellow students some of the easier bird sounds.
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