Article by Javier Benjamin | Owl Staff
Javier Benjamin celebrates after being recognized for making the president’s list during HCC’s graduation on May 22, 2025.
It all started before the age of four. I was born in Sulzbach-Rosenburg, Germany, on July 17, 2004, and then my family moved back to the United States, where I was raised for most of my life. Throughout those first few years, I was a normal baby who functioned properly.
Around age 3, however, I began showing worrisome signs of autism: I wasn’t making eye contact, I couldn’t communicate and, eventually, I couldn’t walk. My parents immediately took me to the doctor to understand what was happening. My development seemed to be regressing instead of progressing.
In July 2007, I was diagnosed with autism which included problems with walking and speech.
“He won’t walk or talk, or even graduate high school, and will most likely be put in a home.”
Unfortunately, the doctor said something most parents fear: “He won’t walk or talk, or even graduate high school, and will most likely be put in a home.”
This left my parents in disbelief, especially my mom, who would do anything to help her son communicate again. There was hope because I learned sign language very fast and that was what I used as a communication tool. Around that same time, I started walking again by taking little steps that felt abnormal until I got used to walking normally.
Eventually the time came when I said my first words in a long time while my mom tried to communicate with me in sign language: “Yes, please.”
The moment she heard me speak again, she immediately got my dad and repeated what she had done which felt surreal for my father.
In 2008, at age four, I was diagnosed with PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified), which at that time was a new diagnosis on the autism spectrum. However, a few years later, it was removed from the spectrum.
As a young child, Javier and his older sister often enjoyed juice boxes at their grandma’s house.
I absolutely hated elementary school. I was disruptive and I would do anything but learn, such as throwing temper tantrums, running out of the classroom, and using foul language toward teachers.
My mom checked up on me to see how I was in school. When she saw no improvement with the staff at the original school, she got fed up and had a meeting with the district about transferring me to another school. She thought the staff watching over me was being too cowardly and careless. If I wasn’t going to behave, the staff would have normally brought me somewhere else to calm down until I was ready to learn and behave again.
Since I wasn’t receiving the type of care and support my parents wanted for me, I was placed in a program called the “Classroom Support Program.” The program was very limited around Harford County, and only a few schools offered it, mainly elementary and middle schools at the time.
CSP was a secluded classroom in HCPS with a few kids who had disabilities and behavioral problems, which made learning easier for someone like me. There was one teacher and a couple of support staff. During my time there, some days were normal and on track. On other days, I was frustrated and didn’t want to do the work, which got me into a lot of trouble and would lead to me being removed from the class and put in a time-out. If I was being extremely disruptive or violent, then the worse option would have been to stay in the quiet room for around five minutes after calming down.
There was a “point sheet” system where five was the best score and zero was the worst. Most days, I scored in the middle. I started decently but, by the end, I wouldn’t follow directions, or I would curse and act out randomly. I remember seeing other students in the program get mad and try to destroy the classroom. So, I mimicked what I observed by flipping desks and tables in class.
Although Javier despised taking any type of group photos in elementary school, he posed for class photos.
There were times I was put in regular classrooms with one teacher and support staff watching over me. Some days would be normal with no flaws, then other days where I would cuss randomly and make a scene.
Once 5th grade came along, I started to change my ways for the better. I didn’t want a support staff looking after me every single day throughout my school years.
One of the memorable moments from being in the program was held at the end of the week. Every Friday, if a student had a certain number of points, they could enjoy a break block called “Fun Friday.” It was a fun reward at the end of the day to do whatever, such as go on the computer, have snacks, play games or toys, and enjoy extended recess.
Javier’s favorite birthday party was “Super Smash Bros.” themed in July 2015.
My last year in the CSP program was subsequently my first year of middle school, which was exciting. Since my behavior changed drastically during that year, I was sometimes worried about being placed in a regular classroom. During my time there, I was treated with respect by most staff and students. Some kids didn’t like me for who I was, which retrospectively didn’t matter at all.
I was a naive kid who wanted to be liked by everyone; but trying so hard to fit in has its consequences. In the 7th grade, I began vandalizing, stealing, and nearly getting into my first fight. Before the end of the school year, I thought I’d have to return to CSP due to my bad behavior. Instead, I attended summer school.
During the following school year, I was doing good with just a few disruptive moments; usually by trying to be funny when in reality I was just being corny. I almost got arrested for vandalizing all over the school after finding a knockoff sharpie in my house. I was suspended for a week instead.
For the first day of seventh grade, Javier began to smile in pictures.
High school was when I finally changed for the better. Although there was one incident when I flipped a desk due to stress, the maturity and progress I made from elementary school to high school was clear. My objectives were minding my own business, going straight to class, and doing what I needed to do for the day.
Since I was getting older, I didn’t want to start problems and go down the menace path and ruin my life. I found hobbies and classes that interested me and started to get out of my shell. I started to be myself instead of a follower. Joining bass and tenor as part of the choir, I found a new love for singing and a path towards Music Production.
“The journey continues as every setback leads to a major comeback.”
In my senior year, I participated in the talent show, where I sang my original song “King’s Love.” I then nominated myself to be prom king – which I didn’t win – but I had a great time.
Finally, the day my family had been waiting for arrived: on June 6, 2022, I walked across the stage as a high school graduate. I accomplished the impossible and overcame doubt and negativity, regardless of my story.
One of Javier’s greatest achievements was taking graduation photos, proving it was possible for him to get his high school diploma.
All my life, there was something different about me. Whether misbehaving in school or struggling at home, it was a challenge to figure out if I was “normal enough.” Whenever I see how my past behavior was in public, it was so obvious that there has always been something different about me. I was full of anxiety, wondering if I was a “nobody.” What if my life was meaningless?
Once it was time to choose a path in life, I enrolled at HCC as a major in Mass Communications. Originally, I was looking for any type of Music Production major or classes, and Mass Communications was the closest career path. Throughout my childhood, I also made funny videos for Instagram and TikTok, which made me want to learn more about video production.
Javier and other Digital Media students gather for a Christmas party held during Audio Production class in December 2023 and taught by now retired Professor Wayne Hepler.
Since I was taking remedial classes, and the environment was reminiscent of past experiences, college felt like “high school 2.0” at first. When I completed those classes, I finally had the chance to do what made me happy: audio production, video work, and working on short films. This helped me realize what I wanted to do going forward, especially when making my own short films and music videos.
I am especially grateful towards Professor Wayne Hepler who taught me all I needed to know about the media world and the pros and cons that came from the major. These became some of my fondest memories at Harford Community College.
The last class Javier had at HCC was “Advanced Video Production” before transferring to Towson University.
In December 2024, I graduated with an Associate Degree in Mass Communications, Production & Announcing, and briefly attended Towson University as an Electronic Media & Film major with a concentration in Radio & Audio, meeting many new people and reconnecting with old friends.
Since the film industry isn’t as thriving in Maryland as it is in Georgia, New York, or California, I had to unfortunately drop out. Then I returned to HCC as a Business Administration major to acquire the skills necessary to work not only in media, but also in the business side of things. Additionally, I plan to return to Towson to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management.
I always say in my mind when life gets too hard: “The journey continues through since every setback is for a major comeback.”
So why stop when the story is only beginning?
Life goes on and is too short when it comes to chasing a passion and being successful in the long run. Never wait to realize the impossible potential that is hidden and always break barriers even if people disagree.