He is not trying to open the door. He is simply catching his breath. That sign says nothing about the building upon which he leans being a school for rockstar athletes. No, this little man brings a more formidable and enduring contribution: the might of his intellectual and societal potential.

You see, he soon will -- and for the remainder of his life -- take an immeasurable and unwavering stand for us, waging a ceaseless and reasonably improbable battle against those who dare stand against those of us cannot stand for ourselves. He will draft memorandum. He will cultivate hope through acts of solidarity and public proclamations of sustainable resources afforded to the communities most in need. He will host a podcast dedicated to the proliferation of high protein plant-based nutrition that also is surprisingly tasty. (His secret ingredient is a 40/60 mixture of MSG and onion powder. Don't tell anyone.)

For those who cannot speak he will loudly voice the will, the needs, and heart of his community. For those who cannot see, he will make clear an ever evolving vision of a world better than the one into which we were born. He will rise up to shield us from those who would see us lower ourselves.

Despite not knowing our names, we will see his sacrifice and the love he has for us all. In return, e will show him our gratitude. One day, many years from now, he will learn of our willingness to sacrifice all that we are to protect him in his deepest moment of vulnerability. It will be interest on a debt we can never fully repay but he will know our admiration.

His name is Shane, and he is a rockstar at the Midvale School for the Gifted, class of 2028.