by Bevin Hicks
In our tight-knit town of Ruston, stories of resilience and community support often remind us of the strength of the human spirit.
One such story belongs to five-year-old Reed Pipes, a kindergartener at A.E. Phillips Lab School, whose big smile and love for basketball have inspired our entire community.
Reed’s mother, Lauren, a junior high math teacher at A.E. Phillips, and her husband Trey faced unimaginable circumstances when Reed began feeling unwell in January 2024. What started as achy joints and a low-grade fever quickly escalated into every parent’s worst nightmare.
On February 20, Reed was diagnosed with leukemia. By the next day, Lauren and Trey found themselves walking the halls of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, overwhelmed by uncertainty and emotions.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” Lauren shared. “We had to figure out arrangements for our eight-year-old daughter, Landry, while trying to process everything happening with Reed.”
For two months, the family lived at St. Jude, where their days were filled with medical treatments and sleepless nights. Lauren recalls the surreal feeling of being surrounded by other families facing unimaginable challenges.
“It’s awful knowing your child is sick, but for so many families, it’s so much worse,” said Lauren. “It’s humbling and heartbreaking at the same time.”
Back in Ruston, support poured in for the Pipes family. As a beloved sixth and seventh-grade math teacher at A.E. Phillips, Lauren’s colleagues stepped up in incredible ways, ensuring she never had to worry about her students.
“They didn’t ask for anything—they just did it,” Lauren said, with gratitude.
The school community also rallied around Reed. His kindergarten teacher, Haley McHale—Lauren’s best friend—helped organize a special welcome home celebration after his return in November. The event, complete with the Lady Techsters basketball team and head coach Brooke Stoehr, left Reed grinning ear to ear.
His classmates showered him with handmade cards, showing that even at five years old, friendships and compassion can run deep.
“Reed is so resilient,” Lauren said. “He’s been through so much, but he’s still just this happy, funny little boy who loves basketball and life.”
Lauren, like many parents of children battling cancer, has found herself tapping into a well of strength she didn’t know she had.
“People think it’s strength, but it’s not,” she explained. “It’s just what you do when your child is sick. You go into fight mode and do whatever it takes to get them well.”
That fight isn’t over. While Reed is happy to be back at school, his journey continues with weekly treatments in Shreveport for the next 120 weeks. A recent allergic reaction to medication brought them back to St. Jude in October, where Reed underwent a 28-day treatment. They’ll return again in January for one more 28-day treatment.
Through it all, Lauren says her perspective has shifted.
“I’ve learned not to take anything for granted,” said Lauren. “Ruston is such an amazing community, and I have such a huge heart for St. Jude now. I want to figure out how to give back.”
This holiday season will hold extra meaning for the Pipes family. After a year of uncertainty and challenges, they are embracing the moments they once might have taken for granted. Reed is eagerly awaiting Christmas morning, where he hopes to find a Nintendo Switch and all the Memphis Grizzlies gear.
For Lauren and Trey, the holidays are a time to cherish joy, and the presence of their two children. Landry, who has shown incredible maturity through her brother’s journey, is looking forward to more time with her family.
As Ruston rallies behind the Pipes family, one thing is clear: love, faith, and resilience are at the heart of this journey.
And through the halls of A.E. Phillips, in the stands of Techster basketball games, and within the walls of their home, Reed Pipes is not just a little boy with a giant smile, he’s a beacon of hope and strength for all who know him.
