Tommy forms strong connections with caring actions at Bryan Community

May 20, 2026

Bryan Community senior Tommy is forming connections as strong as the Brooklyn Bridge with his gift for building relationships.
 
Tommy has blossomed into one of the school’s top leaders with his willingness to start conversations with everyone. He has gained the trust of both students and staff members with his actions in classrooms, hallways and meeting spaces. He talks with people of all ages, works well with teachers and uses his musical abilities to form bonds with others.
 
Tommy said his time at Bryan Community has changed his outlook from judgmental to joyful. He arrived on campus as a sophomore and was hesitant to form friendships because of past events in his life. The support he has received at school has led to many social doors swinging wide open.
 
“Ever since I started here at Bryan, I’ve really tried to treat everyone on an equal basis, regardless of who they are or where they come from,” Tommy said. “I really do try to live by the Golden Rule of treating others like you’d want to be treated. Being here at Bryan has taught me that your life can be successful if you do that.”
 
Bryan Community teacher John Bell said he has been impressed with Tommy’s growth in both personal and prosocial areas. Administrators rewarded his hard work by selecting him to speak at the school’s upcoming commencement ceremony. Bell said fellow students reacted well when they learned about that choice.
 
“If we asked the student body to vote for three people whom they’d like to be a senior speaker, I can guarantee you that Tommy would be one of the people chosen,” Bell said. “He’s very well-liked at school. He’s made an impact on the lives of a lot of people here, and I think they respect him for that.”

 
Tommy grew up in Lincoln and attended Sheridan Elementary School and Irving Middle School. He said the highlight of his formative years came when he had Amelia Smith as his teacher in both first and fifth grades.
 
“She’s a teacher who really just did believe in me,” Tommy said. “She really did see me for who I was. I’ve always loved her for that. She was just a great teacher.”
 
A major event in Tommy’s life happened when he was a ninth grader at Southeast High School. His grandmother passed away during the year, which made a deep impact on him.
 
“That was very rough for me,” Tommy said. “That hit home.”
 
Tommy accepted a recommendation to enroll at Bryan Community the following year. He soon discovered that he was not alone on his life pathway. Students began sharing their own stories with him, and staff members like Bell took time to listen to Tommy’s concerns. The senior said those kindhearted actions helped him turn his high school career around.
 
“Ever since I came here, I’ve been doing better,” Tommy said. “I’ve gone out of my way to try to not disappoint the teachers that I look up to or the staff members or my peers, because I care about who they are.”
 
Bell said Tommy’s compassionate attitude has rippled throughout the building. Bell has watched Tommy approach multiple students who may not have had large social circles. He has been intentional about including them in group conversations and introducing them to other people. Those deeds have strengthened the feelings of belonging and acceptance for everyone at school.
 
“One thing that I think is impressive is that Tommy befriended a couple of kids who didn’t have friends,” Bell said. “I commend him for that. He didn’t have to do that, but he wanted to make sure they felt seen and heard and respected here. It says a lot about the character that Tommy has.”
 
“Everyone likes to be seen and acknowledged,” Tommy said. “I know what it’s like to be on the other side of that, so I want to make sure that doesn’t happen to other people.”
 
Tommy said his time at Bryan Community has also inspired him to pursue musical interests. He has written several songs and would like to pen additional lyrics and scores in the future.
 
“I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to create,” Tommy said. “I realize that I’m probably not going to get rich doing this, but that’s not my main goal. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to be able to make something and then try to take it to the next level. It gives me a sense of accomplishment.”
 
Bryan Community’s mission statement is “ensuring all students will achieve the necessary learning to be successful up to and beyond graduation.” Bell said Tommy has become a powerful symbol of why that mission statement matters. He said it was important to help everyone form connections as strong as the Brooklyn Bridge.
 
“I’m a firm believer in Bryan and what we’re trying to do here,” Bell said. “To watch Tommy go from where he was three years ago to where he is now is just a great testimony of that. If a kid like Tommy really buys into Bryan, then they can excel, and that’s what he’s done.”
 
Are you the proud family of a graduating LPS senior? Find everything you need to prepare for the big day, including ceremony dates, times and venue locations. View the 2026 Graduation Schedule and Details.
 
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