Typically, high school educators are the ones affecting the lives of students. For one McKinney school official, students have returned the favor in a profound way.

Students at Boyd High School are raising money to benefit assistant principal Tom Wales, whose daughter was born three months premature. Wales' medical costs have soared to more than $1.5 million in the past year.

Student council members sold wristbands to help defray the costs, but one student, Parker Reed, wanted to do more. The 17-year-old started a committee, called Jayden's Journey, to help.

In recent months, the group has raised more than $10,000 and hosted a recent blood drive.

At first, Wales declined the help but later accepted after hearing students' pleas and learning of the blood drive.

"I didn't want my family's burden to be one that the students had to take on," Wales said. "But I agreed because of the blood drive, since we almost lost Jayden due to the lack of blood supplies."

Jayden Hope Wales was born May 8, weighing 1 pound, 7 ounces. Pregnancy complications triggered the baby's early delivery, and the couple, who also has a 2-year-old daughter, was initially told Jayden had little chance of surviving.

"In the first few months of her life, Jayden went through four operations and was given more chances of not surviving vs. living," Wales said. "But she's beat the odds."

Students wanted to help ease whatever burden they could. They held brainstorming sessions, contacted restaurants about hosting fundraiser nights, and sold "Jayden's Journey" wristbands and T-shirts.

"Once word got out, we had restaurants, businesses and parents wanting to help," said CyLynn Braswell, a student council adviser. "It changed from a school project to a communitywide effort."

Boyd principal Rick McDaniel said he hasn't been surprised by his students, who routinely help with charitable projects at school and in the community. Students have donated their efforts to the Samaritan Inn, the Veterans War Memorial at Craig Ranch and fundraisers for a staff member battling cancer.

"Their stepping up has made the transition of what we're going through easier," said Jennifer Wales, Tom's wife. "I don't know how we'd get through this without their continued support, prayers and respect for Tom."

Now nearly 8 months old, Jayden is a cuddly, giggling 12-pound baby. But she still requires ongoing medical care and is kept in isolation because of a lowered immune system. Her medical costs are more than $600 weekly.

"My goal is to show off my wonderful girls that God gave me," Tom Wales said. "In the beginning, prayers were the only thing we asked for, and yet, we got so much more in return because of the love of so many."

Parker, who visited the Waleses as they were getting ready for Christmas, said it was moving to see Jayden get to celebrate the special occasion at home and not in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit.

"To see her doing well made it all worthwhile," he said. "She really is a miracle baby."

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January 31, 2026