Sports Illustrated 2022 SportsKid of the Year, 13-year-old Carter Bonas seeks to inspire others by sharing his journey with autism through his love of golf

Breaking barriers and defying the odds! A current 7th grader at Digital Academy of Florida (DAOF), Carter Bonas, is inspiring change across the state through his love of golf and personal journey. Diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at a young age, Carter has faced numerous challenges, including learning hardships and experiencing bullying at his former school. Determined to create a brighter future, Carter, alongside his supportive family, embarked on a journey that led him to find his passion for golf, entrepreneurship, and advocacy.

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Sports Illustrated 2022 SportsKid of the Year, 13-year-old Carter Bonas seeks to inspire others by sharing his journey with autism through his love of golf. (Photo: Business Wire)

Next month, Carter will host the inaugural “Carter's Spectrum Golf - First Annual Autism Awareness Golf Tournament” on Thursday, April 25, at the Country Club of Coral Springs. The event aims to raise awareness about autism and support marginalized youth in South Florida. Carter invites families, friends, and golf enthusiasts to join in supporting this noble cause and “Embracing Your Difference” on the green. April 25th is also “Carter Bonas Day,” an honor bestowed to the young businessman in 2023 by the City of Lauderhill.

“I want to help encourage and motivate people like me. I want them to know that there’s life after their diagnosis, that they can go after their dream,” proclaims Carter. “My tournament is an opportunity for people in the community to come together and support my mission, to tell people like me and those with other disabilities that they are important, that they matter.”

Driven by his own experiences with sensory sensitivities and a lack of comfortable golf attire, Carter founded Spectrum Golf, a company dedicated to providing quality golf apparel while promoting inclusivity and celebrating differences. Carter will be holding an Autism Sensory Demonstration on the Putting Green, to help participants experience what it can be like to play the game.

Despite his young age, Carter's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication have garnered national attention–including being named Sports Illustrated 2022 SportsKid of the Year– making him a sought-after motivational speaker and advocate for neurodiversity.

Continuing their dedication to students’ success inside and outside of the classroom, Mike Swindle, Hendry County School District’s Superintendent, in partnership with K12, is supporting Carter’s golf tournament as the title sponsor for the event. Additional education and nonprofit sponsors include The Rhyu Foundation (Gold), and the Tony Bennett Memorial Foundation (Silver), two organizations dedicated to empowering youth and the work they do in their communities.

Carter’s school, Digital Academy of Florida, is a K12-powered virtual education program of Hendry County School District that is committed to helping students across the state discover their unique potential through personalized, online learning. Carter’s teachers have watched his journey over the last year and are inspired by his commitment to helping others and sharing his story.

“It has been an honor to watch Carter grow both academically and personally since he first joined my class in fifth grade at Digital Academy. He is an inspiration for not only his teachers but also his fellow students,” shares DAOF educator, Kira Chamberlain. “His success is a testament to what every student can achieve when given the right tools and encouragement.”

To register for Carter’s “First Annual Autism Awareness Golf Tournament” or learn about sponsorship opportunities, please visit cartersspectrumgolf.com.

About Spectrum Golf: Spectrum Golf, a 501c3 non-profit, was founded in 2022 by Carter Bonas. Dedicated to providing comfortable and stylish golf attire, Spectrum Golf promotes inclusivity and celebrates diversity on and off the course. ​​The name ‘Spectrum Golf’ was chosen by Carter to empower himself and others, to show them that they do not have to hide from their diagnoses. Like him, they too can choose to learn how to control their own emotions, life, and narrative.

About Digital Academy of Florida: Digital Academy of Florida (DAOF) is a full-time online public school program of the Hendry County School District serving Florida students in grades K-12, tuition-free. DAOF has access to the curriculum and tools provided by K12, a Stride Company. For more information about DAOF, please visit https://daof.k12.com/.

About Stride Inc. At Stride, Inc. (NYSE: LRN), we are reimagining learning—where learning is lifelong, deeply personal, and prepares learners for tomorrow. The company has transformed millions of people’s teaching and learning experiences by providing innovative, high-quality, tech-enabled education solutions, curriculum, and programs directly to students, schools, the military, and enterprises in primary, secondary, and postsecondary settings. Stride is a premier provider of K-12 education for students, schools, and districts, including career learning services through middle and high school curriculum. For adult learners, Stride delivers professional skills training in healthcare and technology, as well as staffing and talent development for Fortune 500 companies. Stride has delivered millions of courses over the past decade and serves learners in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. More information can be found at stridelearning.com, K12.com, galvanize.com, techelevator.com, and medcerts.com.

Ken Schwartz Sr. Mgr. Corp Comm kschwartz@k12.com

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