Building Bridges of Friendship: Upperclassmen Embraced a Freshman in Need

‘We’ve got his back’: Upperclassmen befriend freshman with no one to sit with during lunch

‘We’ve got his back’: Upperclassmen at Reidsville High School Embraced a Freshman in Need

Upperclassmen Embraced a Freshman in Need

Starting high school is a milestone in any teenager’s life—a time filled with excitement, anticipation, and, for many, anxiety. For Caleb Wrenn, a 14-year-old freshman at Reidsville Senior High School, the first day of school was challenging. He found himself sitting alone during lunch, feeling the familiar sting of being singled out for his height. Yet, what began as a difficult day for Caleb turned into a heartwarming story of friendship and community, thanks to the kindness of a group of upperclassmen.

Caleb’s first day of high school was far from easy. He expected some teasing about his height, and unfortunately, he wasn’t wrong. He spent his lunch period alone, enduring unkind comments from other students. “I was used to getting picked on for my height,” Caleb recalled. “When I got home, I told my sister about all of that, and my sister, being my sister, made a huge tweet about it that’s viral right now.”

That tweet, shared by his sister, caught the attention of several upperclassmen at Reidsville High School, including members of the football and basketball teams. These students decided they couldn’t stand by and let a fellow student feel isolated and unwelcome.

Demontez Canada, a senior and a member of both the football and basketball teams, was one of the first to take action. “We decided to catch him off guard at lunch and have lunch with him,” Demontez explained. “We wanted to show him around the school, make sure he was okay, and give him new friends.”

For Demontez, the decision to reach out to Caleb was deeply personal. He understood what it felt like to be in Caleb’s shoes. “I’ve had the same situations,” he said. “I felt like I had to make a stand and make sure he was okay because he is a freshman, and he shouldn’t have to go through this his first year of high school.”

Tyvon Smoot, another senior who will soon be a member of the Boys to Men Club at Reidsville High, also felt compelled to help. The club focuses on preparing seniors for adulthood through community service and academic excellence, and some of its members joined the effort to befriend Caleb. Tyvon, who had moved to North Carolina himself, knew all too well the pain of sitting alone. “I didn’t have any friends, I used to sit by myself, so I know how he feels,” Tyvon shared. His experience motivated him to ensure that Caleb didn’t have to go through the same thing.

The actions of these upperclassmen made a profound impact on Caleb. What started as an intimidating first day turned into a story of newfound friendship and support. “It felt really nice to know that there are people who care,” Caleb said. “I’ve always been used to kind of being the outsider, the loner, the outcast, but it feels kind of good to have friends.”

For Caleb, these new friendships were a turning point. He went from feeling isolated to feeling accepted and valued. “They’re literally the most awesome people I’ve ever met,” he said, expressing his gratitude.

The kindness shown by Demontez, Tyvon, and their friends didn’t go unnoticed. Teachers, coaches, and administrators at Reidsville High School were deeply moved by the students’ actions. Dr. Lyla Jordan, a school counselor and mentor of the Boys to Men Club, emphasized the importance of what the students had done. “That’s a special thing because they did that on their own,” she said, noting that it reflected positively on the entire school community.

The school’s Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach, Jason Ross, echoed this sentiment. He encourages his players to be leaders not just on the court but in every aspect of their lives. “If they do that, our school will always prosper,” Ross said. The pride in his voice was evident as he reflected on the growth and maturity of his students.

Doug Marrs, the Defensive Coordinator for the Varsity Football Team, highlighted the broader lesson in this story. “That’s the way we should be in society,” Marrs said. “We should always help those less fortunate, and if they’re learning that lesson here at Reidsville High School, that might be greater than any lesson they get in a classroom whatsoever.”

‘We’ve got his back’: Some upperclassmen befriend freshman with no one to sit with during lunch

Caleb’s story is a reminder that small acts of kindness can have a big impact. While he appreciates the friends he’s made, he’s also thinking about others who might be going through the same thing. “I know I’m not the only person that sits alone at lunch,” Caleb said, expressing his hope that more students who find themselves alone can experience the same kindness he did.

In a world where loneliness and depression are all too common, Caleb’s story is a testament to the power of community and compassion. It’s a reminder that each of us has the ability to make a difference in someone’s life, simply by reaching out and showing that we care.

The actions of these Reidsville High School students go beyond just making a new friend; they’ve set an example for their peers and for all of us. In a time when it’s easy to look the other way, they chose to stand up and make a difference. Their story is one of hope, friendship, and the belief that everyone deserves to feel included and valued.

As we go about our daily lives, let’s take a page from these students’ book and remember that sometimes, the smallest gestures can make the biggest difference.

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