More Than Awareness: White Cane Day Builds Understanding and Inclusion at PHS

Pleasantville High School junior Morgan Adriazola has a vision for White Cane Day that extends well beyond her own years at PHS. She wants it to become a lasting tradition, one that helps generations of students better understand what it means to be blind or visually impaired and how they can contribute to a more inclusive community.

Observed internationally, White Cane Day has celebrated the independence and achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired for more than 60 years, while raising awareness of the white cane as a tool for independence and mobility. Morgan, who is blind, was the inspiration behind bringing White Cane Day to PHS. Now in its third year, the celebration continues to grow, drawing enthusiastic participation from students and reinforcing a culture of acceptance that Morgan and her family say has made a meaningful difference in their lives.

"It is everything to know that this community is so accepting," said Morgan's mother, Missy Adriazola.
Morgan herself couldn't be happier. With her ever-present smile, she was right in the middle of the lunchtime activities, talking with classmates and sharing her own experiences.

"I just love these kids," she said, a sentiment she repeated throughout the celebration.

Throughout the celebration, students stepped outside their usual routines to experience some of the challenges of navigating the world without sight. They tried walking with white canes while wearing vision-blocking masks, gaining firsthand appreciation for the concentration, skill and practice involved in using a tool that symbolizes independence for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Sophomore Gianni was among the many students who participated. He and a friend took turns wearing masks and using canes to navigate a straight path of approximately 15 feet. Gianni explained that he wanted to experience what it felt like not to be able to see, believing that even a brief glimpse into that experience could help him better relate to people with visual impairments.

Another student, a freshman, discovered just how difficult the exercise could be. She could feel the cane moving along the ground and getting caught in cracks, making it surprisingly challenging to maintain a straight path. After just a short attempt, she recognized how much practice it would take to use the cane effectively.

For Morgan, the growing awareness is making a difference in everyday school life.
"People notice me more in the hallways now," she said, explaining that students have become more aware of her presence and better at making space for her to navigate through the crowds. With characteristic humor, she added, "But they still have to do better."

That combination of confidence, humor and determination is part of what makes Morgan such a powerful advocate. She embraces being visually impaired as part of who she is, but it certainly doesn't define her or limit her interests.

Morgan is learning Swedish and has a passion for music, particularly singing and playing the piano. She is preparing for the school's November talent show, where she plans to sing and play piano and may even accompany other performers.

Music is also an important outlet for her. Morgan describes her other senses as heightened, and playing the piano is where she turns to relieve stress. She lets her hands guide her across the keys and can spend hours at her grandmother's piano, immersed in the music.

Finding Strength Through Community
Another special guest at this year's celebration was Edwin Vidals, a visually impaired athlete and member of the USA Men's Youth National Goalball Team. He is preparing to represent the United States at the 2026 IBSA Goalball Youth World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, taking place November 27 through December 5. He also participates in jiu-jitsu and wrestling.

Edwin spoke about his passion for inspiring others and demonstrating that a disability does not have to prevent someone from pursuing ambitious goals. Just as important, he emphasized the value of having a community that understands what it means to live with a visual impairment.

He shared that people frequently tell him he is the first blind person they have ever met. That lack of familiarity can feel isolating, he explained, underscoring why opportunities to build awareness and understanding are so important.

Representatives from the New York State Commission for the Blind were also on hand to support the event and engage with students.

"The Pleasantville community is terrific," said Katherine Healey of the Commission. "It is so important to get behind White Cane Day to educate students and raise awareness of this tool that symbolizes independence and accessibility."

For Morgan's mother, Missy Adriazola, the school's embrace of White Cane Day has been deeply meaningful.  "I can't give enough credit to Mr. Palumbo for all he has done to make this day happen," she said. "Morgan is just one kid, and to see this level of effort — and this level of acceptance — is amazing."
That acceptance has given Morgan the confidence to advocate for herself and others, knowing that her school community is willing to listen, learn and support her.

A Legacy Morgan Hopes Will Last
Although Morgan is only a junior, she is already thinking about next year's White Cane Day celebration, her last as a PHS student. She is determined to make it the best one yet. But her ambitions extend far beyond graduation.

Morgan knows that White Cane Day was established more than six decades ago, and she wants the tradition at Pleasantville High School to continue for generations of students who will come after her.
"I want this to still be happening 62 years from now," she said.

For Morgan, the success of White Cane Day isn't measured simply by how many students try a cane or participate in an activity. It's reflected in the way students treat one another afterward — in the awareness they carry into the hallways, the consideration they show and the understanding they develop.

And if Morgan has anything to say about it, that impact will continue long after she graduates.