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At Byrd, new clubs pop up every year. Some are about competitions, others are about service hours, but this year one new club is different. It’s not about trophies or resumes, it's about people. Thanks to four seniors, the Community School, a program in Shreveport for kids with special needs, now has a home at Byrd with the establishment of the club “Community Works”

Caroline Schoonover, Murphy Wilson, Reece Hoffman and Avery Brainis have been volunteering with the Community School for at least 6 months. Schoonover has been involved for years. They said the time spent volunteering at the school really changed how they viewed the world.  They decided that this after-school activity would have a huge impact inside the student body at Byrd. So started planning meetings, spreading the word , and building something that no other school has ever done before.

For Murphy Wilson, it was the little things that mattered the most . Murphy explains how  rewarding it is to see the kids make progress over time and how much it impacts him personally when the moments like this happen, “There was this one boy, he could barely say a word and like one time he said, ‘Murphy,’ and I was astonished. I’m like I’ve never seen this come out of you, so really being able to see them grow.” Murphy stated that moments like this at community school don’t just make you smile in the moment but they stick with you and remind you why you show up and put in the work in the first place. He says being part of the school has taught him patience, empathy, and the importance of celebrating even the small victories and that is what he wants to show everyone in community works.

 Reese Hoffman’s favorite part about Community School has always been the relationships she forms with the kids. What started out as just volunteering with her friends quickly turned into something much deeper to her. “We grew connections with the kids, and we were just around them so much, and we got to see them grow up, so it made us really just want to keep going back.”, stated Hoffman. Over time,  she said those connections form into real friendships with the kids. “Just the connection I have with the kids now, it really just inspires me, and they just make me so happy.” For her, the club isn’t work, it's more like joy. She says the friendships she’s built with the kids are something she’ll carry with her even long after high school. Avery Brainis has been more focused on the big picture. She says the goal isn’t just to have fun with the club this year, it's to make sure it lasts. Avery said she and the other seniors feel a big responsibility since it’s their last year. “I really think that what we were really focusing on is since we’re already seniors, we want to really, really work on making sure it continues. Because it means a lot to us , but I really want people to see how special it is and how fun it is being involved so that they really will want to continue it.” For Avery, this isn’t just a senior project it’s a legacy she hopes other Jackets will carry on.

For Caroline Schoonover , the reason for starting the club was simple. She wanted others to experience what she already loved. “These kids are so amazing and kind! I also wanted to spread awareness on autism and how people can communicate even when they think differently!” Caroline had been volunteering at the Community School for a few years, and she said the idea for a club had been tossed around before. Kelly Rouse, the director of the community school, would often joke about her starting a club at Byrd, but it never happened until the four students stepped in. Caroline says she was excited to finally make it real, not just because of how much she cared for the kids but because she wanted to make it known that these kids are  so much more than just a diagnosis. These kids have all different types of personalities and are unique in their own ways. She also admitted that putting the club together wasn’t always easy. “I learned that it is really hard to coordinate some things and that the people helping you are so important and amazing! I could not have done this without Avery, Murphy and Reece!” For Caroline, the teamwork behind the club was truly just as meaningful as the friendships with the kids they serve.

The first interest meeting of the 25-26 school year had more than 45 students show up with every person who attended, signing up to be a part of the club long term. The director of the Community school, Kelly Rouse, being a guest speaker and informing the students about the school and the work these 4 students have put in to bring this club to life.

Community works may be a new club but it’s already making an impact. This club is not about checking boxes, gaining service hours, or adding to your college resume. It’s about participating in something bigger than yourself, building friendships, and realizing how important it is to include everyone. Thanks to these four students , Byrd now has something that feels less like a typical club and more like a family. And even though they’ll graduate in May, they’re leaving behind something that will hopefully last for years.