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Article updated: 12/13/2012 5:13 AM

Cary-Grove freshman has autism — and a gift for music

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Breanna Bogucki, a freshman at Cary-Grove High School, has autism. She won the Special Talents America contest last month by singing a Taylor Swift song.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

Music has always been essential to contest winner Breanna Bogucki, a freshman at Cary-Grove High School who has high-functioning autism.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

Breanna Bogucki, 15, a freshman at Cary-Grove High School, won the Special Talents America contest. Her prize is a recording session with Jim Peterik of the Ides of March and the 1980s hit band Survivor.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

Winning the Special Talents America competition was a huge accomplishment for Breanna Bogucki, 15, of Cary, who has high-functioning autism. She won by singing a Taylor Swift song.

courtesy OF Gene Steinman Photography

Breanna Bogucki of Cary said social skills can be a challenge for people like her who have high-functioning autism. Breanna, 15, beat more than 30 other applicants to win the Special Talents America competition in November.

courtesy OF Gene Steinman Photography

Breanna Bogucki of Cary, a freshman at Cary-Grove High School, has high-functioning autism and won the Special America Talents competition last month. She likes to perform songs by Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen and Kelly Clarkson.

courtesy OF Gene Steinman Photography

About this Article

No one could have predicted that Breanna Bogucki, a Cary-Grove High School freshman, would one day dazzle live audiences and impress tough critics with her singing. Breanna, who has autism, last month won the Special Talents America. "Breanna immediately hit me like, 'Oh my God, this girl has a fantastic voice.' Not only that, her pitch is excellent," judge Jim Peterik said.