Sophomore Sarah Kays follows the rhythm of the weekly Friday morning music in the Coppell High School main hall.

Her sister, senior Czeslawa Kays, dances by her side. 

Sarah creates a new, unique dance by mixing the moves she learned from her favorite game, Dance Central. With non-verbal autism, this is how Sarah connects with the world.

Since Sarah was born, the sisters have done everything together. When Czeslawa started wearing pink pom-pom hair accessories, Sarah did the same, but with purple pom-poms. 

It is small things like matching accessories and inside jokes that make their bond so strong.

“I just started it because I made it into my own style and then I had some purple-ish pom-poms and Sarah’s like ‘can I join?’ and now she’ll only wear stuff that’s purple,” Czeslawa said. “It’s mostly just normal being with her, teasing and making fun of her, but like the good kind of sibling teasing and she returns it and finds a way to do it back at me several times. I’ll go to her randomly and put down her headband over her eyes and she’s like ‘what?’ And then she’ll take my glasses and put them up.”

Sarah’s favorite way to connect is through dancing. According to her, she loves to dance “all the time.” The Xbox game, Dance Central, fostered her love for dance since she was young.

“She’ll just dance randomly, even at the park, or just at home, she’ll dance, even when there’s no music,” Czeslawa said. 

According to their dad, CHS tech theater teacher Aaron Kays, navigating Sarah’s autism can be harder some days more than others, but he is thankful that she is a “naturally happy kid.” 

Previously at Denton High School, Sarah faced problems with bullying and Czeslawa had to step in. As the oldest of four siblings, Czeslawa takes her caretaker role very seriously.

“In general, having a sibling teaches you how to care for another and be a role model, but because of how Sarah is in particular, I had to change a bit and be more understanding of every little thing,” Czeslawa said. “I can always help other people or know what to do with autistic people because I have one that I’m with constantly, so I somewhat know what to do or say. I always protect her if anything ever happens.”

At CHS, as students in tech theater class have gotten to know Sarah, they make it a responsibility to take care of her as well.

“She’s always at every single performance and she always supports the theater,” junior Mary Nemec said. “I know whenever I see her around, she always says hi and I always say hi to her. She’s very fun and bubbly.”

Czeslawa graduates next week, and she is scared to leave Sarah behind as she enters a new chapter in her life. However, she thinks that Sarah will be alright next year, surrounded by students and teachers who care for her.

“Several times we’re walking in the hallway and she waves to people, and I’m like ‘Sarah, do you know them?” Czeslawa said. “I think it’s definitely better here. Everyone loves Sarah.”

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