It’s the ordinary that can create the extraordinary. The mundane can become magical. The hum drum can echo out a hallelujah.

One White House mother’s glitching app led to a chorus of positive comments on Facebook. Jackie Mazza was picking up a meal for her family at the White House McDonald’s drive-through. Pulling up to the payment window, frantically clicking the app, she had to report that it wasn’t letting her submit payment. Thankfully, LaShed Velez was at the window. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out cash and punched it into the register.

The White House High School Senior says he didn’t really think twice about it. “It felt right to pay for her meal,” he says, “It’s something I’ve done before for other people.” Jackie protested several times, saying she couldn’t fathom a teenager paying for her meal and tried to toss him a twenty-dollar bill. LaShed refused to accept the cash.

“Not always having that someone (who has your back) really affects you,” recounts LaShed, “I want to be that someone for you because I know what that’s like. She just happened to be someone I needed to be there for that day.”

The mom went on to speak to the manager at the pickup window, letting him know how much it meant to her that LaShed stepped in to help like he did.

The praise didn’t pause for long as Jackie typed out her interaction on HIP White House. The comments started flowing, many mentioning that they too had been encouraged by “the awesome young man with the great smile.”

“I did not expect it to come this far,” says LaShed, “Nick Beres was being tagged from Channel 5 even. It was a spur of the moment thing—just another day at work.”

Another day in the life of a high school student. Growing up in a single parent home, LaShed recalls moments that would wipe a smile off anyone’s face. He, his mom, and younger sister have learned to work together as a team. Moving to the White House area from Las Vegas (earning him the nickname, Vegas, by his peers), the Velez family is originally from Philadelphia.

“Having a relationship with immediate family is really important,” he says. “Life changes like that. I’ve learned to be grateful …it’s shaped me into who I am now, always trying to have a smile on my face because I can make someone else’s day better.”

LaShed credits his workplace for chiseling his positive attitude, calling the Golden Arches a strong community. “Working at an establishment like McDonalds is a great place to work on staying positive, because you’re not always going to get positive people.” His smile widens and his eyes twinkle as he talks.

Practice makes positive. If it’s true for LaShed could it be true for you and I?

Don’t rush through your next drive-through. That sliding glass might just open an influential interaction that sparks magic into the mundane.

Editor's Note: Jackie Mazza started a Venmo account to raise funds to support the Velez family. The fundraising ends tonight. If you're interested in participating, reach out to Jackie via her Venmo (@Jcdoyle29) or check out her Facebook post on HIP White House (search "LaShed Velez"). We want to recognize Dante at All Seasons Grill for stepping in to assist Jackie’s efforts. We at Stay Positive News love sharing stories like LaShed’s for this reason—they have a ripple effect that’s as contagious as his smile.