BIG RAPIDS, MI — It is often said that inspiration can strike anywhere, but for Eastwood Early Childhood Center kindergartener Zy'Aire Harris, it struck right on the home screen of his school Chromebook.
On an ordinary school day, Zy'Aire found himself captivated by the official Big Rapids Cardinals logo on his desktop wallpaper. Armed with nothing but a mouse, the basic "Paint" program, and a massive dose of determination, Zy'Aire decided he was going to recreate it.
Because he didn't know how to split his screen, the task required an incredible amount of focus for a five-year-old. Zy'Aire had to click back and forth between platforms—studying the official Cardinal logo on his wallpaper, memorizing the shapes and lines, and then clicking back over to his digital canvas to draw what he had just seen, click by click. To top off his masterpiece, he also drew out the slogan he saw on the screen: "We are BR Cards." When his technology teacher, Jillaine Defever, saw the finished design, she was completely blown away and knew she needed to share the impressive work. Zy'Aire’s drawing wasn't just good for a kindergartener; it perfectly captured the vibrant, resilient spirit of the school community. Inspired by his grit and creativity, Principal Goodman hatched a secret plan: she sent Zy'Aire's exact digital design to a local printer and had custom t-shirts made for the entire Eastwood staff to wear.
The secret was kept under wraps until today, during Eastwood’s final school assembly of the school year.
As the entire student body and staff gathered in the gymnasium, Principal Goodman announced a very special surprise. On her signal, every single teacher and staff member in the gym unzipped their jackets to reveal matching t-shirts, all proudly displaying Zy'Aire’s hand-drawn Cardinal head on the front and the words, "We are BR Cards" on the back, along with the artist's name!
Zy'Aire’s reaction was absolutely priceless. When he realized that the entire staff was wearing his art, his face lit up with pure shock, pride, and excitement. In an instant, his quiet determination had transformed into a school-wide celebration.
The heartwarming moment quickly brought the room to tears—especially for Zy'Aire’s mother, who was sitting in the audience alongside his younger brother. As Zy'Aire was presented with his very own t-shirt, his mom wiped tears of joy from her face. Zy'Aire proudly pulled the shirt over his head and ran straight across the gym floor into his mother's arms, eager to show her the uniform he had designed for his school.
It was a beautiful, unforgettable reminder of what can happen when a child's creativity is nurtured and celebrated. Zy'Aire didn't just draw a picture; he united a school, gave his teachers a new favorite outfit, and proved that you are never too young to make a huge impact.
Way to go, Zy'Aire! You truly embody what it means to be a BR cardinal!
