Senior trip means more to this family than graduation

When Deborah Dumars’ autistic son started ninth grade she told him she would take him on a big senior trip if he graduated high school. They left Thursday for Las Vegas.

D’Marcus Dumars, 18, graduated from Pineville High School in May with a “regular” diploma, his mother explained, overcoming obstacles of Asperger’s syndrome.

She knew he could do it. So she started planning when she made him that promise four years ago. She began collecting spare change in a large water cooler bottle and kept up the habit over the years. On Wednesday they took it to Red River Bank and dumped the savings into the coin counting machine.

D’Marcus and older brother Daniel Jr. lifted the heavy bottle that eventually had to be broken with a hammer to more easily remove the coins. They scooped the change into the machine, which also had to be emptied once during the process.

The flights, lodging and shows in Las Vegas — and a show in Mississippi on the way home — already were booked and paid for. The change was for extra spending money on the trip.

“This (money) is just an added bonus,” she said. “We can do some extra things.”

Her sons had another bonus opportunity if they guessed how much money was in the water jug without going over. Daniel guessed low at $475. D’Marcus’ guess of $999 was closer. The spare change amounted to $1,010.61.

D’Marcus, Daniel and their mother will see three shows, take a boat trip on Lake Mead and go on a tour that includes the Hoover Dam.

“He deserves this trip,” Dumars said. “We just happen to be able to go along for the ride.”

D’Marcus said he was excited about the trip. He’s most looking forward to seeing two of his favorite comedians, Jeff Dunham and Gabriel Iglesias.

“I chose this trip because it has a wide variety of entertainment,” his mother said.

It also was a way to reward his hard work at school and mark his transition into adulthood. A graduation trip just like his older brothers took seemed fitting.

“D’Marcus has been through a lot,” Dumars said. “He is high-functioning autistic. He works really hard. He’s very focused. We don’t treat him with a crutch. We treat him as normal as normal can be.”

Along with a diploma, the 18-year-old also received his SafeServ certificate from the National Restaurant Association when he graduated in May.

“His passion is cooking,” Dumars said.

D’Marcus spent his last two years of high school in the culinary program at Pineville. He transferred from Peabody Magnet High School after his sophomore year to be in the program.

It wasn’t easy. His family helped him overcome challenges like the extreme focus D’Marcus puts on his handwriting, which could consume all his time, and learning to participate in social situations.

“One of the disadvantages of Asperger’s syndrome is the lack of social skills,” Dumars said.

He also had to face family tragedies like the loss of his father. In 2010, Dumars was away for surgery at MD Anderson when her husband had a massive heart attack in their home, she said. D’Marcus found him unconscious and woke his brother so they could handle the situation together.

This trip signifies a new chapter for their family. Dumars sees it as more than just the end of high school for her youngest son.

“It’s a closure and a beginning,” she said. “It’s a beginning of manhood. ... It’s bittersweet. I’m thankful they’ve transitioned from boys to men.”

But after the week of play, the Alexandria family will get back to business. D’Marcus will get his driver’s license and enroll in Bossier Parish Community College’s certificate of technical studies in culinary arts program. He also is waiting to hear back after his first job interview at a local restaurant.

“From there it’ll be very serious — work and school,” she said.

But now, Vegas.