John’s Crazy Socks, along with co-sponsors the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism and Rangam announced the winners of the 2025 Autism Can Do Scholarship. They are:
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First Place: Evelyn Walters of South Abington Township, PA
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First Runner-Up: Allison McGoldrick of Wantagh, NY
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Second Runner-Up: Wilbert Sullivan of Wilton, CT
Evelyn's winning design, "Bee Kind," showcases her love for insects and emphasizes the importance of kindness. Allison's "SOAR" design features a plane soaring through clouds, reflecting her passion for art and spreading joy. Wilbert's "You Are Egg-cellent" design celebrates differences with cheerful, smiling eggs.
John Cronin, Co-founder of John's Crazy Socks, expressed his excitement about the exceptional entries received this year. The scholarship, which aims to celebrate the achievements and abilities of individuals with autism, saw a record-breaking number of almost 400 applications in its seven-year history.
Nick Savarese, Executive Director of the Flutie Foundation, said, “We applaud all three winners of this scholarship. We know what people with autism can achieve and we want to help others to reach their fullest potential.”
Rangam CEO and Co-founder Nish Parikh said, “The Autism Can Do Scholarship program is a step in the right direction to promote sustainable employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for diverse talent. Rangam is honored to be able to support this great initiative.”
Mark X. Cronin, Co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks, said, “The Autism Can Do Scholarship is a key component in our mission to show what people with differing abilities can do.The winners – a graphic designer, an artist and a musician –demonstrate the range of what people with autism can do.”
The John’s Crazy Socks “Autism Can Do” Scholarship presents $8,500 in scholarships to individuals on the autism spectrum in the United States to use at a college or trade school. It is co-sponsored by the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism and Rangam. To win the scholarship, applicants completed a brief form, submitted a personal statement and designed a pair of socks. A selection panel that included people with autism and representatives from all three sponsor organizations carefully reviewed almost 400 applications before selecting the winner.
The first-place winner, Evelyn Walters will not only receive a $5,000 scholarship, but John’s Crazy Socks will produce the Bee Kind socks she designed and will sell them in their online store. Thus, Evelyn is now a world-class sock designer. Evelyn, on the Dean’s List at Kutztown University, is majoring in Graphic Design.
As the first runner-up, Allison McGoldrick will receive a $2,500 scholarship and she intends to “ravage academia with my voracious mind by using my academics with art to create powerful statements.” Second runner-up Wilbert Sullivan, a musician and double-bass player, will receive a $1,000 scholarship to study at a music conservatory.
John’s Crazy Socks created the “Autism Can Do” Scholarship as part of its Giving Back Program and its mission to show what people can do when given a chance. More than half the employees at John’s Crazy Socks have a differing ability and many of them are on the autism spectrum. The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism and Rangam joined as sponsors because the scholarship fits with their mission of empowerment and supporting people with autism.
Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism
The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism has a mission to help people and families affected by autism live life to the fullest. The Foundation wants to create a world where people with autism lead productive lives where they are included, respected, and actively engaged in their communities.
Flutie Foundation programs and activities improve the quality of everyday life for people and families affected by autism along seven key dimensions that are critical to living each day fully. They aim to provide a path for education and/or employment during the day; opportunities for physical and social activity outside of work/school; and the tools to be safe, supported, and always informed. To learn more about the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism please visit their website www.flutiefoundation.org.
About Rangam
Rangam is a minority-, woman-, and disability-owned workforce solutions company with a mission to promote "Employment for Everyone," including people with disabilities, autism, and neurodivergence, in addition to service veterans. The organization delivers innovative workforce solutions by designing an integrated and inclusive recruiting methodology. Rangam specializes in attracting andretaining talent globally for IT, Engineering, Scientific, Clinical, Healthcare, Administrative, Finance, and Business Professionals categories.
About John’s Crazy Socks
John’s Crazy Socks was inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks—what he calls his “crazy socks.” He and his father, Mark X. Cronin, started the company as a social enterprise with a mission of Spreading Happiness™. With more than 4,000styles ofsocks, John’s Crazy Socks is now the world’s largest sock store. More than half their employees have a differing ability, and their Giving Back program has raised over $800,000 for charity partners like the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Autism Society of America. Most of all, they are Spreading Happiness™.
For more information about John’s Crazy Socks, visit our webpage, Facebook page, Instagram account or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
