It goes without saying that bullying is unacceptable in our society. Not now, not ever. Those of us who have had the misfortune of experiencing it at work, school, or home should strive to eliminate it.
Of course, this can be easier said than done, which is why it is crucial to address bullying as early as possible.
Children who engage in bullying often do so due to their own insecurities and doubts. By teaching them the consequences of their actions, we can guide them towards a better path before it’s too late, potentially preventing the terrible behavior of bullying from following them into adulthood.
Regardless, I believe that those who confront bullies – or at least step in when they witness someone being harassed or intimidated – deserve our admiration.
It takes real bravery to confront someone who is determined to make another person’s life miserable; unfortunately, many people tend to look the other way and act as if nothing is happening.
Fortunately, a few years ago, three teenagers at Lincoln Middle School in Wisconsin recognized the difference between right and wrong and intervened at a critical moment to help a young girl who was clearly in distress.
Scooter Terrien, Chase Vasquez, and Miles Rodriguez may seem like typical teenagers, but when they stepped in to stop a group of bullies from taunting cheerleader Desiree Andrews, they proved they were truly exceptional.
Desiree has Down syndrome, and while she sometimes struggled with words, she never hesitated to express herself through her dancing and music. According to reports, her role on the cheerleading team involved supporting the sports teams whenever they played, although there was at least one instance where she drew the unwanted attention of a group that thought it would be amusing to mock her.
It just so happens that Desiree is friends with Scooter, Chase, and Miles, and they are determined to protect her from bullies. So, when they noticed bullies taunting Desiree during a timeout, they devised a clever and effective plan.
“We watched for a bit to confirm what we were seeing,” Scooter shared.
Once they realized their suspicions were correct, the boys understood they needed to take action. They left the bench during the timeout and confronted the bullies.
With the entire school observing, they stood up for Desiree at a crucial moment.
The bullies quickly learned a lesson. Although it was a small act, it made a significant impact on both Desiree and her father, who was incredibly grateful.
Holding back tears, Desiree’s dad expressed: “I just wanted to let them know, as a father, how much I appreciated it.”
Learn more about the boys and their courageous actions below:
