As he passes out food and drinks at the tailgate on homecoming night, sophomore Michael Snider looks up to see his brother Matt smiling and enjoying his night with his friends and family.

Michael and Matt are the average 15 year old twin brothers. They love hanging out together and listening and playing music.

The one thing sets them apart: when Matt was born he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which fluid accumulates in the brain. As a result, he experiences cognitive and physical impairments.

Because of Matt’s impairments, the Snider twins never attended the same school together.

So when the opportunity came and Michael was accepted into the Utica Community Schools IB program, he knew he had to turn the offer down. Matt would attend Eisenhower’s LCCE program for high school. And if Michael turned down IB, they finally would have a chance to be together at school.

And that was something Michael knew he couldn’t turn down.

He didn’t want to leave his brother all alone at an all new school.

He wanted to be there to help Matt out with whatever he needed during the day.

He wanted Matt to know he would always be around somewhere, so Matt wouldn’t need to worry about anything.

So when Michael was assigned the Pay It Forward project in English class, he knew just what to do for it. He volunteered to help out Matt’s class’s homecoming tailgate.

Not only would Michael be able to finish his project, he would have the opportunity to spend the game with his brother and meet Matt’s class and his friends.

Unlike many other siblings who get stuck at the same school together, Michael and Matt genuinely enjoy spending time with each other.

That’s why Michael volunteered to spend time with his brother.

Because Michael and Matt aren’t just friends.

Because they aren’t just twins.

Because they’re brothers.

And nothing in the world could ever change that.