A crime took place at a Ravena, NY middle school yesterday. Three boys--two age thirteen and one age twelve--followed a classmate around the halls, harassing him. They pinned him to the wall, assaulted him, and stole his money. Such things have probably been happening as long as there have been boys in schools.
But the really amazing thing is that this time, the other kids who were witnesses to this extreme bullying incident, didn't just stand by watching or turn away pretending they didn't see what was happening. They got involved. They confronted the bullies and quickly alerted the School Resource Officer.
The officer called for backup and the bullies were arrested and charged with gang assault, unlawful imprisonment, and robbery.
It was great to see the look of hope and optimism on the school superintendent's face as he described how kids in his district are gradually becoming more aware of bullying and actively taking a stand against it. That spirit the superintendent was describing in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Middle School students immediately reminded me of some other "ordinary" people, these on an airplane over Shanksville, PA on 9/11/2001 who "just said no" to the terrorist hijackers intent on crashing that plane into greater Washington, D.C.
It seems chivalry and honor have not gone the way of the dinosaur. And teenage heroes will someday grow up to be adult heroes.
Here is our Jude Hayes Mysteries quote for the day:
The next few minutes are hazy in my memory, but I remember immediately lowering my gun and placing it carefully on the floor, then staring at the duo for what felt like an eternity as my jaw worked, but no words came out.
“Are you all right, Jude?” My rescuer’s voice was tinged with concern. I knew that voice … from somewhere.
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