She said she went to the office and reported the student – but the damage was already done.
“I didn’t expect that to happen to me like ever, but like, the world’s not fair.”
Fortunately, her teachers weren’t going to let this go.
“One of the things that I could tell is that she felt alone. She was the only one having to face this, that she was going through it by herself,” said Brittany Johnson, Camino Real Middle School teacher. “It was just an instant picture of this is what needs to happen.”
Those teachers reached out to some students with a really moving idea.
“I can’t even come up with the words about how sort of magical it was, and how heartwarming it was,” said Shelly Harris, principal at Camino Real Middle School.
More than 100 students got together the next morning to walk her to class and show her she’s loved.
“I felt that we should take the initiative to just be there for her, and let her know that she’s not alone,” said a student. “When I look back on it, I’m like ‘Whoa’ I still can’t believe that happened. This is such an awesome school.”
Students and teachers said that day was a real turning point for everyone.
“It did completely change the morale of the entire school, all the way from the admin, all the way to the custodians feel a difference, the cafeteria staff can tell a difference. It made us one,” said Johnson. “You see, you see so many good things now. After that whole thing, it’s like a trend now to do something good, to help someone, to lift someone up.”
“I think from that point, kids saw that they have power, that the bystander has power, that things can get turned around and be made for good,” said Harris.
And as for the girl at the center of it all.
“I mean, I’m kind of happy to come back to school, because I know I have everyone there to be there for me, it’s a safe place,” she said. “I actually feel a lot more confident wearing this now.”
