The Journey of Scout & Olive: From Peers to Lifetime PALs
Through the Georgetown ISD (GISD) Peer Assisted Leadership Program (PALs), high school students are paired with younger peers to build relationships, offer support, and create meaningful connections. For high school junior Olive Connerty and third-grade student Scout Schulz, that connection quickly became a friendship rooted in shared experience and understanding.
“These two developed an immediate bond due to their unfortunate similarities,” said Scout’s father Bretton Schulz. “Their bond has only gotten stronger throughout the year, and Scout looks forward to every visit with her mentor.”
Scout's challenges started early in life. She was diagnosed with brain cancer at a young age, a diagnosis that led to several lasting medical conditions, including a weakness on the right side of her body that left her arm paralyzed.
Years later, in October 2024, Olive experienced an accident that resulted in the amputation of her right arm, presenting a new world of challenges that Scout had been navigating most of her life.
“It’s crazy to think that I almost wasn’t in the PALs program, and I almost never met Scout,” said Olive. “She puts a smile on my face every time I see her, and she’s become like a little sister.”
The two often have vulnerable conversations about how to navigate the world with their visible differences, and how to respond when others can’t relate or don’t know how to respond.
“We talk about the way people look at us or talk to us because we look different on the outside,” said Olive. “I tell her not to care what people think because it’s not their business and they really don’t understand.”
During their time together, the two also practice skills that may seem simple to most, but are difficult for Scout and Olive. One of the first things they practiced was tying their shoes.
“Scout got to show Olive a new shoe-tying technique to help her,” Schulz said. “Since then, they love to see who can tie their shoes the fastest!”
They also support each other when they’re not together.
“When Scout was recently hospitalized, Olive sent her a video, Facetimed her, and even sent a care package to cheer her up,” said Schulz. “The connection that these two have made is one that will last a lifetime.”
For Scout, the impact is simple and powerful.
“Olive’s really cool,” said Scout. “It’s nice to have someone to talk to that understands me.”
Scout has some pretty major events occurring in the near future. Over the winter break, she will have her sixth surgery at St. Jude in Memphis, TN. Her parents say she is already looking forward to being back in Texas with her PAL, Olive, and continuing to grow their relationship. Follow Scout’s Army on Facebook.
