Shadle Park girls basketball game

A lot of students have an after-school job — or in Shade Park High School senior Makenzie Fager’s case, before-school — balancing work with responsibilities like homework and extracurriculars.

For Makenzie, her dedication to Highlander basketball helped her bond with the people she serves breakfast at Fairwinds Spokane, a north Spokane retirement community.

“I love to talk to them. It's one of my favorite parts about the job,” said Makenzie.

To show their appreciation for Makenzie, Fairwinds residents like Atsumi, Dale and Jeraldine attended her final games as a Highlander this season, cheering from reserved front-row seats.

What a great example of how a friendly smile and shared interests can build community across generations!