Senior Joe Gebele helps sophomore feel like a part of the Mustang Community

By Ella Trodd

Staff Writer

Costa ex-football player and senior Joe Gebele heard that his friend, sophomore Killian Hynes who is diagnosed with Autism, was going to the second football home game of the season against La Serna. Due to the fact that Killian Hynes had never been to a Costa football game before, Gebele decided he wanted to do something special to make him feel like a part of the Mustang community.

“Killian is a big football fan who, although he cannot speak in a traditional manner, enjoys interacting with his school community,” mother Beth Hynes said.

Before the La Serna game, Killian Hynes had never been to a Costa football game. He said that last school year, he was not in the right frame of mind as it was a huge transition for him and that for many freshman, high school feels like a different planet compared to middle school. Killian Hynes said that due to this change, it took him until the start of this school year to be comfortable with the idea of being around his peers outside of school hours.

“Killian looks up to a guy like Joe for the simple fact that he took the time to get to know him. Through quick chats about the weekend and by the daily hi’s and bye’s,”  Willemse said.

Gebele and Killian have bonded over their mutual love for football during their time in Learning Center together, Willemse said. Willemse also says that Gebele has always been kind and welcoming to Killian and made him feel included at Costa.

“I admire him [Gebele] very much, he is a true friend who sees me as a young man and is not just viewing me as Autistic,” KIllian Hynes said. “It is kind of random that Joe chose to take time to give me a chance to be his friend.”

“Joe’s good-will gesture in reaching out to Killian inspired Killian to attend every Mustang home game this season,” Killian Hynes’ mother Beth Hynes said. “Because of Joe’s gift, Killian felt welcome to join the Mustang community at the games.”

Killian Hynes communicates with others through his iPad and with the help of his communications partner, Christopher Willemse. Killian Hynes uses an app called Touchchat which gives him immediate access to communication whenever he feels like he needs assistance.

Killian said that with Gebele’s good deed for Killian, he not only made his day, but also helped him to feel more included at school. Gebele’s generosity helped Killian to connect with friends over football as well, by discussing recent games and different teams, said Willemse.

“I thank Joe for his kindness. With Joe, I think Killian feels more involved in a piece of Costa now, and definitely feels more included,” Willemse said.

Costa played a CIF game, Friday, November 11 at home and lost. Killian Hynes said he planned to attend the home game on Friday, November 11, wearing Gebele’s jersey, but he did not attend because there was no school on the day of the game.

“He is a that I have in Learning Center. I made a lot of friends in high school at Learning Center and Killian is just another one of them,” Gebele said. “In here, we are not any different from one another. We are here because we all need help and work together. We are all friends.”