KILLEEN, Texas — Communities in Schools, a nonprofit organization that supports at-risk students, says proper footwear is often overlooked but crucial for student success.

Cinnamon Clay, a psychology coordinator with the nonprofit who is based out of Willow Spring Elementary in Killeen, works directly with at-risk students and has seen firsthand how footwear impacts learning.

"Yesterday there was kind of like a hygiene issue, a teacher said, and I went and pulled a student and realized actually the hygiene issue was just the shoes," Clay said.

Clay said proper shoes boost student confidence and create a healthier learning environment. Without them, students struggle to focus on academics.

"You're always having the insecurity. When looking at me, do I look dirty? Do I smell? So they c

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