10/22/2022
We should do more things like this.
High school gyms are typically the loudest places on Earth. But for one Wisconsin high school, it was briefly very much the opposite. Mosinee HS Vollyball was playing their final home match of the regular season, and the crowd did NOT go wild. But the silence wasn't for lack of enthusiasm. Instead, the two competing schools, and their spectators, had agreed to a “silent night,” that allowed one family to have an experience many take for granted.
Monisee player Malina Carattini has a brother Payton who is autistic. According to a post on the team's IG account, "He does not handle noise very well and thus has never been able to attend any of her sporting events. We would like to change that." So, the two teams rallied to help the loving brother show support for his sister, agreeing to stay quiet for the first 10 points of the match.
While the noise of sneakers squeaking, whistles blowing, and team chatter couldn't be eliminated, the crowd holding back from cheering and clapping made the gym much less stressful for Payton, who was finally able to see her in action live.
“Special, very special,” their dad Jesse said to a local news channel WSAW. “To have him there is very exciting and emotional.”
“To see him in the gym and his smile and see her, more importantly, look over and see him smile...it brought a tear to your eye to see how excited she was to have him there,” their mom said.
High school sports are the best for moments like this. Maline was thrilled to have her brother there. The family got a moment they’ll never forget, and the crowd was dedicated to the gesture. As planned, Payon left the gymnasium after the 8th point, allowing the entire crowd to release their bottled-up support in cheers after Malina helped the team get that 10th point.
