VANGUARDS

JACE THOMPSON

The Adventurer

If there’s one kid at Live Oak Middle who’s going to yell “WATCH THIS!” right before doing something questionable… it’s Jace Thompson. He’s the new kid who opened the year with a pool stunt that probably shouldn’t have worked. (It did. Barely.)

Jace doesn’t try to be the center of attention—he just has a talent for landing there. He moves fast, thinks faster, and occasionally remembers to slow down… usually after he’s already airborne. Skateboard ramps? He’s launching off them. PE dodgeball? He’s somehow both the first target and the last survivor. Group projects? He volunteers before he even knows what the assignment is.

But here’s what people don’t see coming: Jace has a huge heart. The moment someone gets picked on, he’s the one stepping forward. If a friend needs help, he’s already moving before they finish asking—though he’ll shrug it off like it’s nothing.

He’s brave, loyal, and gloriously unafraid to fail in front of everybody. And yes, he wipes out often… but he always gets back up, grinning, ready to try again.

Jace is the spark of the Vanguards. When he shows up, something big is about to happen. And honestly? Middle school’s a whole lot better with him in it.

NAOMI jackson

The Heart

Naomi is the kind of friend everyone secretly wishes they had. She notices everything—the kid sitting alone at lunch, the girl pretending she’s not upset, the teacher who’s having a rough day but is trying to hide it. Naomi feels it all, and she actually does something about it.

She’s not loud. She’s not trying to take over. But somehow, she’s the one people go to when they’re stressed, embarrassed, or just need someone who actually listens. Naomi has that “I get you” superpower that makes people feel safe telling her things they wouldn’t tell anyone else.

She’s also the unofficial “Vanguard Mom,” even though she’d deny it forever. Snacks? She brings extra. Group chats? She keeps the peace. Drama? She diffuses it like a ninja. When Jace starts doing something dangerously Jace-like, she’s the one yelling, “PLEASE DON’T DIE!” while sprinting to help.

Naomi feels deeply, cares fiercely, and believes kindness isn’t a weakness—it’s a weapon. She might not be the loudest voice in the room, but she’s the one that keeps the team’s hearts pointed in the right direction.

With Naomi around, everyone just… tries to be better. And that’s her real power.

LIAM CARTER

The Thinker

Liam is the kid who actually reads the instructions before building the LEGO set. Not because he’s a rule-follower—because he wants it done right the first time. His brain works like a high-speed puzzle machine. If something is broken, confusing, or weird… Liam’s already halfway to figuring it out.

He’s the Vanguards’ walking search engine. Need help with math? Liam’s got you. Need someone to hack together a solution using duct tape, a paper clip, and whatever’s in his backpack? He’s got it. Teachers love him. Substitutes fear him (because he asks questions they can’t answer).

Liam isn’t loud, but he’s quietly hilarious. He’ll drop a one-liner so smart you’re not sure if he roasted you or complimented you. Sometimes both. And when Jace goes full Jace, Liam’s the one saying, “Scientifically speaking, that’s a terrible idea,” which of course never stops Jace.

He overthinks everything—texts, homework, conversations, why the cafeteria pizza tastes like rubber—but his heart is solid. He wants things to make sense, he wants his friends to be okay, and he wants the world to be a little more logical.

Liam doesn’t lead with noise. He leads with logical clarity. And every team needs a brain with a heart like his.

AVA MARTINEZ

The Organizer

Ava is the kid whose backpack is actually organized. Like… color-coded organized. She’s the one who remembers the project due date, reminds everyone in the group chat, and somehow still shows up early with snacks.

She doesn’t boss people around—she just has her life together in a way that makes the rest of us wonder how she does it. Need a plan? Ava’s already got one. Need a backup plan? Also done. Need someone to keep Jace from accidentally destroying something? She’s on it.

Even though she’s super responsible, Ava’s not boring. She loves events, big ideas, and anything that lets her create order out of chaos. She’s the reason the Vanguards don’t explode into total middle-school meltdown. And when things get stressful, she’s the calm voice saying, “Okay, here’s what we’re gonna do.”

Ava cares deeply about doing what’s right—even when it’s hard. And she’s learning that leadership isn’t just keeping things organized… it’s helping people feel like they matter.

If the Vanguards are a spaceship, Ava is mission control—steady, sharp, and always ready.

ERIC DANIELS

The Heart warrior

Eric doesn’t talk a lot when you first meet him. He’s the new foster kid who’s already been through more schools than most people have socks. He watches everything—trying to figure out who’s safe, who’s fake, and where he fits.

His caring heart feels things deeply. He notices when people are hurting, even if they’re hiding it. He’s the first one to sit with someone who’s alone, and then pretends it’s “no big deal.” He cares more than he lets on… he just doesn’t want to get hurt again.

But then there’s his adventure side—the courage he doesn’t brag about. Eric’s the kid who steps in when someone’s getting bullied, even if the whole cafeteria is watching. He’s a warrior that stands his ground. He doesn’t start trouble, but he won’t run from it either.

Eric’s mix of quiet empathy and quiet strength makes him different from everyone else. He doesn’t chase the spotlight. He doesn’t try to impress. But when Eric chooses to trust you, it’s real. And when he decides to fight for something—or someone—he believes in, he goes all in.

He’s the Vanguards’ steady fire. Not loud. Not flashy. But absolutely unbreakable.