Diamond in the Rough

The Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau. The Tailor Institute seeks to help individuals with autism harness their special skills and gifts and allow them to work and live independently,

Wendy Rust speaks after she and her husband, Gary Rust, right, were presented with the 2nd annual Dr. David P. Crowe Award during the Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau. The Tailor Institute seeks to help individuals with autism harness their special skills and gifts and allow them to work and live independently,

The Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau. The Tailor Institute seeks to help individuals with autism harness their special skills and gifts and allow them to work and live independently,

The Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau. The Tailor Institute seeks to help individuals with autism harness their special skills and gifts and allow them to work and live independently,

The Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau. The Tailor Institute seeks to help individuals with autism harness their special skills and gifts and allow them to work and live independently,

The Jerry Ford Orchestra performs at the Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau. The Tailor Institute seeks to help individuals with autism harness their special skills and gifts and allow them to work and live independently,

The Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau. The Tailor Institute seeks to help individuals with autism harness their special skills and gifts and allow them to work and live independently,

Jenny Knoderer speaks during the Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau. The Tailor Institute seeks to help individuals with autism harness their special skills and gifts and allow them to work and live independently,

Devon Mason, left, Rachael Watkins, Sarah Watkins-Ferrell, Stephen Watkins, Caroline Coles, left, Sheri Grippo and Mackenzie Scherer at the Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau.

Caroline Coles, left, Sheri Grippo and Mackenzie Scherer at the Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau.

Devon Mason, left, and Rachael Watkins at the Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau.

Carrie Tracy, left, Mackenzie Scherer and Bunny Kohlfeld at the Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau.

Tonya Rinda, left, and Jummie Ready at the Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau.

Lisa White, left, Alan White, Catherine White and Leslie Herbst at the Tailor Institute's annual Diamond in the Rough benefit Saturday, Nov. 23, at Celebrations Downtown, 19 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau.