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Teen speaking at her graduation ceremony and a man wearing a lime green jacket
Uplifting News

Teen Wins $40K Scholarship - Decides to Give It All Back For This Reason

Getting an education and strong grades are definitely important, and those values were certainly ones that a teen named Verda Annan grew up with. But she was also raised to understand the importance of community and giving back, so when she saw an opportunity to make an incredible difference in someone else’s life, she rose to the occasion.

78-Year-Old Waffle House Customer Makes a Simple Request to the Waitress - What She Does Next Is Caught on Camera
Uplifting News

78-Year-Old Waffle House Customer Makes a Simple Request to the Waitress - What She Does Next Is Caught on Camera

18-year-old Evoni Williams of La Marque, Texas spent all her free time working at Waffle House, hoping to stack up enough money for higher education. A tough task for sure, however she wasn't the only person with a lot on her plate. A Friend in Need78-year-old patron Adrian Charpentier, who uses an oxygen task, said he was having trouble using his hands to cut the ham on his plate. Williams, who goes by the nickname 'Nini', told KHOU that she didn't hesitate to help. He was like, "'My hands are not functioning too well.' He needed me to cut his food and I did," Williams shared. She stopped everything to cut Charpentier's meal into bite size bits. EavesdroppedPhoto by Wendy WeiUnbeknownst to Williams, customer Laura Wolf was sitting nearby and watched the whole sweet scene unfold. "It was so busy in here and she actually took the time to stop and hear what he had to say instead of walking past him. That just meant something to me," she said.She snapped a picture of the kind act and shared it on Facebook. "If we could all be like this waitress & take time to offer a helping hand ..." read the caption. Word of the post quickly made its way to Charpentier. "Somebody told me a few days later that I was very popular because they got me on Facebook," he recalled.The post went viral with close to 50,000 shares. Yet no one could have imagined what happened next. A Sizzling SurpriseLights, cameras and media descended on the restaurant to both thank and surprise the star of the hour, Evoni Williams. Williams was presented with a $16,000 scholarship to Texas Southern University, plenty to cover the tuition she'd worked so hard to earn. That wasn't all. Her kind act was immortalized, as the City of La Marque declared March 8 "Evoni 'Nini' Williams Day."A teary Williams was blown away."I didn’t think it was going to go big. But I thank you all. It’s just something I would do any other day," she said.Giving Selflessly Pays OffWolf wrote that Williams's seemingly small gesture actually makes a massive impact. I'm thankful to have seen this act of kindness and caring at the start of my day while everything in this world seems so negative.Laura Wolf"If we could all be like this waitress and take time to offer a helping hand."How many times have we been caught up thinking, searching for a way we can help others but can't find the right cause, the right time, the right place? I'd love to do something someday, we say to ourselves. From helping someone at the diner, holding the door or even flashing a smile to a passerby, there are opportunities to help everywhere. If stories like Evoni Williams prove anything, it's to never underestimate the impact of even the simplest acts of kindness both on that person and those who might be watching.More from Goalcast:8-Year-Old Finds Out His Favorite Waffle House Waiter Is Hiding a Secret – Doesn’t Hesitate to Raise $64,000 for HimWaffle House Customer Notices His Favorite Waitress Has Missed Work – Is Shocked to Find Out Her Hidden Secret

University Dean Wants Cultures to Embrace Each Other - Becomes the Founder of Louisianas First Human Library
Uplifting News

University Dean Wants Cultures to Embrace Each Other - Becomes the Founder of Louisianas First Human Library

With world-wide travel and the bottomless pit of information online, different cultures are interacting more than ever before. Recently, the dean of the grad school at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette put together a tool that would help her community blossom.When Mary Farmer-Kaiser was discussing the idea of bringing the Human Library to Louisiana, she received a nod from two people on opposite sides of the political spectrum. At that moment in 2021, Mary knew it was a good idea.What Is the Human Library?Photo by fauxelsThe Human Library is an organization that originated in Denmark. The idea behind it is to have people volunteer to be open books. Readers “borrow” a book and have a conversation with a person they would otherwise rarely interact with. The human books represent groups in society who are often subjected to prejudice, discrimination or stigmatization because of their lifestyle, diagnosis, belief, disability, social status, ethnic origin and more. It is a perfect method to bring out similarities between communities.Mary Farmer-Kaiser worked for two years to secure funding for a Human Library event in Louisiana. This past May, she received it. Mary says the pursuit of putting together the event was driven by curiosity and a desire to know other people. "To break down stereotypes, something I'll continue to work toward till my dying day," she said. "When we embrace our humanity, we take care of our community. This community means a lot to all of us. The Human Library is an opportunity to get to know your community.”For the event in Louisiana, Mary and her team selected 23 “books” and put them in training. Examples of human book titles available for the event in Lafayette include a cancer survivor, an adoptee, a minister, a beauty queen, an angry Black female, someone with ADHD, parents of a trans child and more. "It's a beautifully well developed method. It's a plug and play," Mary said. "A lot of training goes into it to make sure everyone understands what the purpose is, in not judging people, but in having dialogue.”How the Human Library Is Educating the CommunityMary says her top priority in hosting this event is making sure everyone involved gets treated with respect. It’s not easy for people to open up to strangers but it is necessary for a community to grow stronger. "Our No. 1 job is to ensure our books are borrowed and returned in the same condition," she said. "When a human reader comes, we help them get a library card and review the titles available and decide which one they would like to borrow.”Mary Farmer-Kaiser and her team saw an opportunity to further educate their community and went full steam ahead. Not only do the readers benefit from the conversations they're having, but the books also further their ability to speak to people of different backgrounds. “Some may turn into librarians instead of books. One book said, ‘I love everything about this, but I'm not ready to be published yet,’” Mary said.With a social landscape that’s changing quickly, events like the Human Library bring people closer than ever before. We should all strive to be an open book.More from Goalcast:Young Woman Who Can’t Afford University Decides to Go to Community College Instead – Then She Opens a Letter That Changes Everything13-Year-Old Sells Tea on the Street in the Cold for Earthquake Victims – University Awards Him a Full Scholarship

Struggling Single Mom Forced to Drop Her Studies - Then, Her Sons Secret Plan Gives Her Something She Wasnt Expecting
Uplifting News

Struggling Single Mom Forced to Drop Her Studies - Then, Her Sons Secret Plan Gives Her Something She Wasnt Expecting

Rui Da Silva’s mother Elnete worked hard for him and his sibling to have a good upbringing in the UK. Now, Da Silva wanted to do the same for her.One Son Wanted to Give His Mom What She Gave HimElnete was working as a dinner lady in London. Da Silva, a youth worker and music producer, told BuzzFeed News that his mother had been cooking for most of her life and had always wanted to study. “Coming from West Africa, formal education is of a certain importance,” he said. “But since coming to England, as a single mother, the opportunity to study has been out of reach."Da Silva said his mother was studying a dental nursing course when they first moved to the UK. But his father had died when he was five and his younger sister was one and his mother had to drop her studies.In 2013, his mother survived a battle with breast cancer. "Post her battle, she found serenity with cooking. So while some had comfort food, my mum had comfort cooking," Da Silva said.Then Elnete was given an unconditional offer from the University of West London to study professional cookery. Da Silva said she was over the moon; but she had to gain a level 2 NVQ before she could study as an undergraduate, and was disappointed to learn that she was not eligible for financial support.How a Son Supported His Mom’s Dreams for an EducationDa Silva was determined to help his mother go to university despite this obstacle. "I spent weeks searching for funds, grants, loans, but came to realise that GoFundMe is the best choice," he said.So he secretly sets up a GoFundMe page and writes: Born and raised in Sao Tome eating Jackfruit for breakfast. Catching and cooking fish for dinner. Moving to Portugal, sampling a range Afro-Portuguese food. Living in England, cooking culturally English food at work. Feeding the family with a beautiful amalgamation of Afro-Portuguese-British food. Countless attempts at appropriating every recipe she can get her hands on. Later catering to her son’s vegetarian diet for the last 3-4 years. My mother’s palette is vast, rich and still, for her, not vast enough.With 164 donations, the campaign raised £2,505 raised of £2,000 goal and many left encouraging comments for the mother.“Wow...what an amazing son you are! I hope your mum enjoys following her dreams. Thanks for making me smile by being awesome!” one donor wrote.“Good Luck!!! Moms are super heroes and your mom certainly deserves to go on her next adventure!” another one wrote."I think she’ll feel a sense of control over her life. Working for many years to pay the bills, at a workplace that doesn’t cater to her creativity. I think being in university would really fuel her to get creative and embrace her self-value as a capable individual."More from Goalcast:Mom Works Four Jobs for Five Years to Save Money for College – Now Her Son Has Received a Full Scholarship to His Dream SchoolMother of 7 Graduates College as Valedictorian After 10 Years – A Note From Her Daughter Helped Her Overcome Various Hurdles

Mom Works Four Jobs for Five Years to Save Money for College - Now Her Son Has Received a Full Scholarship to His Dream School
Uplifting News

Mom Works Four Jobs for Five Years to Save Money for College - Now Her Son Has Received a Full Scholarship to His Dream School

Waiting and finding out whether or not you got accepted into colleges can be an exciting and nail-biting, anxious moment. This is emphasized when it comes to your dream school, as is the case of Amir Staten, a Pennsylvania teen who recently went viral for his exuberant reaction when he got accepted into his ideal university.And the joy has continued to elevate as he learned he would be attending the school with his whole tuition being paid via a scholarship.Getting Accepted Into a Historical UniversityThis past February, Staten, based in Philadelphia, sparked many people's attention across the U.S. for his exuberant reaction to the acceptance.In a video shared by Good Morning America, Staten can be seen leaping up and down and yelling with pure happiness after getting accepted into Morehouse, a historically Black all-male university in Atlanta, Georgia."Let's go! I just got in. Mom, I just got in," he could be heard saying in the video.A few months after that heartwarming moment was filmed, Staten also discovered that he received a full-ride four-year scholarship to Morehouse. According to the university's website, it costs nearly $52,000 per year to attend while living on campus.New Remarkable University DevelopmentKarlynne Staten, Amir's mother, shared a video where he can be seen crying out of pleasant surprise when he found out he was one of 15 Bonner Scholars through an email."You don't have to pay for college," Amir can be heard explaining to his mom.Founded in 1990 by the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, hailing from Princeton, New Jersey, the program aids the men of Morehouse by fostering service throughout the campus by helping them become accountable and honorable leaders while promoting positive changes in the world around them.Staten's mom revealed that he was an exceptional student as he received the honor roll and became head of his school's Black Student Union. He also was no stranger to sports as he was the basketball team captain.The Sacrifices One Mom Made for a Better FutureGiving back to the community, Staten's mom also said he completed 120 hours of community service."He has gone above and beyond of what is expected of him," Staten's mom told Good Morning America.Noting that Amir has a twin sister and that she fosters a young boy, Staten's mom took on other workloads to ensure they would be set for college."I have been working three or four jobs for the last four or five years so I could try to save up and maintain a household and still have some type of funding [for their college degrees]," she told the outlet.According to Kevin Booker, the dean and vice president of Morehouse student service, Staten, along with the other scholars in the program, will go to the Dominican Republic in their senior year of undergraduate studies. While there, they will work at an orphanage, fulfilling the scholarship's premise of helping those in need.More from Goalcast:She Was Born in Prison and Then Raised by a Single Dad – Years Later, She’s Going to Harvard on a Full Scholarship16-Year-Old Student Accepted to Over 186 Colleges — Receives More Than $10 Million in Scholarship Offers13-Year-Old Sells Tea on the Street in the Cold for Earthquake Victims – University Awards Him a Full Scholarship

Mother of 7 Graduates College as Valedictorian After 10 Years - A Note From Her Daughter Helped Her Overcome Various Hurdles
Uplifting News

Mother of 7 Graduates College as Valedictorian After 10 Years - A Note From Her Daughter Helped Her Overcome Various Hurdles

Ashley Payne's college graduation was unlike any other. While the occasion is momentous for anyone, it was made all the more special for Ashley as she balanced raising 7 children, and health complications, with her studies. Not only did Ashley complete her undergraduate studies at the age of 35, but she did so as the valedictorian of her class!How One Woman Was Inspired by Her Daughter’s Post-it NotePhoto by Lisa FotiosUnfortunately, Ashley's academic career was originally sidelined when she had a pulmonary embolism at only 18 years old -- just after high school. A sudden blockage of the arteries, the condition is grave, and highly unlikely for such a young person. “I was only 18 years old, and had zero cause for blood clots, so they kept me in the ICU for two weeks. This rattled my plan significantly,” Payne told a publication.Payne was forced to focus on her health, as life continued around her. Thankfully, she recovered fully, and soon began having children. Motherhood quickly became a full time job, and further delayed her education. Payne and her husband, Joseph, focused on growing their party rental business, and on raising their children.She even began working as a doula and a birth assistant before earning an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse degree in Midwifery.However, in 2019, 10 years and 7 children later, she felt well enough to return to school, and enrolled at Keiser University. However, tragedy would strike again when she lost her mother. She referred to her mother as her "greatest cheerleader," and struggled to continue her studies through the grief. However, Payne told a local publication that words from her daughter written on a sticky note ultimately kept her going:"Aim for the moon, and if you miss, you may hit a star.""She sent me to school with a Post-It note in her tiny handwriting,” Payne said via a press release from the university. “If she can realize the vast opportunities this world has to offer, so can you,” she told the audience at her commencement speech. How Family Support Helped a Woman Graduate CollegeThe support of her growing family carried her through difficult times and encouraged her to continue her studies, even as she became pregnant with two more children during the course of her education. As she took the stage at her graduation from Keiser University, she did so as valedictorian, addressing the crowd with powerful words of encouragement. Not coincidentally, she was also the valedictorian of her high school class, over a decade prior! In her university commencement speech, she referenced the note her daughter wrote, and how much the support of her family truly helped her. She graduated as a registered nurse with a Bachelor's degree in Science and Nursing, and intends to continue her studies and obtain a Master of Science degree in Nurse-Midwifery at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota.Her story is inspirational in the truest sense of the word. Despite facing seemingly insurmountable hurdles, Payne persevered. Not only did she make it through her degree, but she did so at the top of her class. Keiser University Chancellor Arthur Keiser, PhD, even beamed to a local publication: “We are incredibly proud of Ashley for being named valedictorian of her graduating class with a perfect 4.0 GPA.”How One Woman Proved the Importance of PerseverancePhoto by Goutinho De Flávio GFHer story is ultimately one of support. Whether from family or friends, encouragement from others is invaluable. The belief of those close to us can inject us with a newfound drive, confidence, and enthusiasm. Though motherhood made Ashley's studies all the more taxing, it is also what ultimately propelled her to keep going when it seemed too daunting. Her daughter, Lorelai, had no idea how powerful that one note would become. She recalled, "I can't believe the impact it has even now; I'm getting interviewed about this. I didn't know that that's what I'd be doing when I wrote this at 9 years old."We are all capable of encouraging those in our life in the way Lorelai did, and it is paramount that we do so when given the opportunity. Ashley's story is one of determination, perseverance, and familial support. As she continues on her journey towards obtaining her Master of Science degree, her story continues to inspire and motivate us all to pursue our goals relentlessly, and support those close to us doing the same. More from Goalcast:Inspired by Her Son’s Dying Wish, Woman Graduates From College in His Place With the Highest RankWoman Gives Birth to Baby Boy – Less Than 24 Hours Later, She Rushes to Graduate College With a PhD56-Year-Old Grandfather Always Dreamed of Playing College Baseball — His Dream Just Came True

Young Woman Who Cant Afford University Decides to Go to Community College Instead - Then She Opens a Letter That Changes Everything
Uplifting News

Young Woman Who Cant Afford University Decides to Go to Community College Instead - Then She Opens a Letter That Changes Everything

University is a huge deal. Not only is it a major learning experience, it’s also a huge financial commitment. That’s why when TikToker Madi (@luvlyymadiii) received letters from universities after applying, she decided to not even open them. She had made the very hard decision to go to community college, knowing that she couldn’t afford the hefty bill that came with a university.Why One Woman Decided to Go to Community CollegePhoto by PixabayFinally, just 24 hours before final decision day, she decided to open all of the letters out of curiosity. She had already decided on community college, so opening the letter was just a way to pass the time.That’s when she saw that her dream University, Maryville College in Tennessee, had accepted her application and offered her a $104,000 scholarship! Madi was devastated. She had already accepted that she was attending the local community college and started orientation. Madi was sad and frustrated. It was too late. Madi recorded her reaction to the letter on TikTok, and the whole situation went viral. Many commenters asked her why she hadn’t opened the letters, and the truth is -- she was overwhelmed! “Finds out I had a $104,000 scholarship from one of my top 3 colleges. I already decided to go to a community college bc I thought uni would be to much debt.” She wouldn’t have been able to afford it, and between working and finishing high school, she just needed to make a decision. Even with the discovery of the scholarship, she wasn’t sure what to do.Some Things Are Meant to BeThat is, until Maryville College found her viral video and commented on it: “It’s not too late to come! Reach out to admissions or feel free to DM and I’ll get you in touch with the right folks!”Other commenters were also encouraging, even though they couldn’t wrap their heads around why she wouldn’t open the letters as soon as they came in the mail. “You opened it a day before the decision for a reason. Go and get that uni education w/ the scholarship!! It’ll be worth it!”Madi’s future seems to have been written in the stars. She opened the letters before the final decision day for a reason, posted on social media for a reason, and finally, accepted the offer for a reason. We still don’t know why, but we do know that Madi is going to do big things thanks to her education from Maryville College. When something so perfect works out against all odds, you know it's meant to be. More from Goalcast:13-Year-Old Sells Tea on the Street in the Cold for Earthquake Victims – University Awards Him a Full ScholarshipElderly Neighbor Calls the Cops on a 9-Year-Old Black Girl Because He Was “Scared” – Then Yale University Takes OverMan Attends University Graduation – Notices Random 68-Year-Old Applauding for Every Single Student for This Reason

Millionaire Sees 12-Year-Old Boy Studying Under Street Light - Is So Moved He Builds Him a Home
Everyday Heroes

Millionaire Sees 12-Year-Old Boy Studying Under Street Light - Is So Moved He Builds Him a Home

Education is an opportunity many of us may take for granted. Whether it is because we grew up in homes that “expected” us to pursue education, or it’s because we live in societies where there is greater access to education, many of us are guilty of overlooking just how grateful we really should be.Street SmartPhoto by Francesco UngaroWell, there is one young boy, Victor Angulo, who did not take his education for granted. In fact, at the young age of 12 years old, Victor was discovered night after night studying underneath a streetlamp.You see, Victor’s family did not have electricity at their home in Moche, Peru, so every night Victor ventured to the streets of Moche to read and complete his homework underneath the outdoor street light.Someone recorded a video of Victor studying at night, and it went viral, for good reason. It is heartbreaking and the image is unforgettable. But, while the photo of a 12-year-old boy laying out on the sidewalk alone completing his studies under a streetlamp at night is a difficult image for the heart to handle, it also prompted one good samaritan into action.From Business Man to BenefactorYaqoob Mubarak, a millionaire and businessman from Bahrain, took matters into his own hands. The issue was clear: Victor’s family needed help. Mubarak decided to venture to Moche himself, and build Victor and his family a new home. Furthermore, he decided to give the family money so that they could start a business."Thank you for the help you are offering, thank you very much because you are helping us to build our school (...) to continue studying."Victor AnguloAnd they say angels don’t exist.The beautiful thing about both Victor Angulo’s actions and Yaqoob Mubarak’s is that they both took matters into their own hands. Victor did not have electricity at home but was determined to obtain an education, and so he went to far lengths to study. Yaqoob Mubarak identified a need and recognized that he could provide the solution, and so he did. Both Victor and Yaqoob did what had to be done, and that is always an admirable trait.Taking Matters Into Our Own HandsWhen we go to far lengths, whether it be for ourselves or for others, we expend energy. As human beings we only have so much energy to expend in a day. However, we allocate this internal resource towards what we believe requires our immediate attention.Victor believed it was worth it to spend his nights studying under a streetlight and Yaqoob believed it was worth it to build him a house so he could do so in privacy, with dignity, and within the comfort of his own home. Both believed in the value of pursuing an education, which at the end of the day truly leaves you to wonder -- what is the real value of an education?Upon closer reflection one may come to realize that the opportunities that come with an education are exponential.The amassing of knowledge and life skills are essential for providing equal opportunities, so that no other young boy like Victor Angulo at 12 years old, has to lay on the sidewalk under a streetlamp so that he can complete his education.More from Goalcast:Homeless Man Bursts Into Tears After Finding Out Strangers Raised Over $15,000 For Him to Buy a HouseAfter Sleeping on Garage Floor, Homeless Boy Sobs When He Learns His Family Finally Has a HouseMom and Her 4 Kids Were Stuck in an Abusive Situation – So She Built Her Own House Using YouTube to EscapeGive back to those who need itWhether it's saving someone at sea or giving up your plane seat, kindness makes a lasting impact.

12-Year-Old Is Forced to Start Working to Pay Bills - Finally, She Decides to Finish What She Started 60 Years Ago
Uplifting News

12-Year-Old Is Forced to Start Working to Pay Bills - Finally, She Decides to Finish What She Started 60 Years Ago

When it comes to accomplishing dreams you set out for yourself as a kid, it’s never too late. One great-grandmother from Queensland is living proof that your dreams stick with you forever.Sharon Sutton didn’t grow up with much. When she was a kid, she wasn’t able to attend high school because of a lack of resources. At age 12, she got a job to help her family pay the bills. Why One Woman Had to Start Working at 12 Years OldPhoto by cottonbro studioFast forward six decades and 73-year-old Sharon is pictured throwing her graduate cap during her commencement ceremony. “I've never stopped learning," Sharon said. “Even in those 55 years between finishing primary school and starting university, I don't think I ever stopped learning. I was always reading something and finding something new.”As a kid, Sharon loved to go to school. She had aspirations of becoming a history and geography teacher when she graduated. “I just assumed I was going on to high school,” she said. “I said something to my mum about, ‘Next year when I go to high school’ — and she told me that there was no high school… because mum and dad didn't have the money to buy uniforms or books or shoes. I was 12 when I started working in a clothing factory, which today would be called a sweatshop.”Sharon always knew she would get her degree one day. Over the next 40 years, Sharon and her husband worked on a cattle farm while raising their children and grandchildren.When she retired, she remembered what she set out to do and enrolled herself at the University of the Sunshine Coast. At school, she studied a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and minoring in history and Indigenous studies.How a Grandmother Proved the Importance of Chasing Your Dreams Today, Sharon stands proud of the five years she worked to get her degree. She was constantly surrounded by people much younger than her but always managed to keep her head up. “I didn't just scrape over the line, she said. “I got good marks in so many subjects and so many assignments.” What Sharon found the most difficult in all of her studies was the technological aspect. She had to create PowerPoints and submit online assignments, which she had never done before. “I can remember submitting my first assignment and wondering whether it was going into the black hole of technology and if I'd ever see it again,” Sharon said. “PowerPoint presentations were an absolute nightmare, but I always got over the line with the content.” When Sharon was completing the forms for graduation everything became real. "I started to cry. I thought, 'Gee, it's real now, it’s not something just down the track. It's actually going to happen, I'm actually going to get a university degree,'” she said. “I think Mum would be proud.”Sharon’s message to everyone wanting to further their education is to “just go for it.” It’s never too late to finish what you started. “The environment and the atmosphere is so good, and mixing with the young people and listening to their views on things — it's just a great experience,” she mentioned. “I miss it terribly already.”More from Goalcast:Boy Walks More Than 2 Hours to Make It to His Graduation – Then an NFL Star Steps Up With a Free RideSingle Mom Asks Stranger to Cheer for Her Daughter at Graduation – Little Did She Know Just What He Was About to DoTeacher Thinks His Students Are Looking “Scruffy” at Their Graduation – Gives Them All Free Haircuts in School

Employee Blocks Teen From Riding Ferris Wheel Because of Her Disability - So Her Stunned Friends Take Action
Uplifting News

Employee Blocks Teen From Riding Ferris Wheel Because of Her Disability - So Her Stunned Friends Take Action

*Featured image contains photo by Tim GouwUnfortunately, people with Down Syndrome have been stereotyped and discriminated against for years. And while the condition is completely different than it was even 20 years ago, a lack of education and ongoing prejudice mean it’s important to continue speaking out and sharing stories.This is exactly what one teen wanted to do after she experienced unexpected discrimination during a school trip.A Fun Outing Takes an Unexpected TurnKathryn Embry was with her class on a trip to Scheels in Overland Park, Kansas having a great time with her friends. The day took an unexpected turn, however, when the 18-year-old was denied entry to the sporting goods store’s Ferris wheel because she had a “disability.”Not only was Embry upset, but her friends and soccer teammates Emily Kramer and Morgan McGruder were angry too.“It made me really upset because I know that Kathryn is an amazing girl,” McGruder told Fox4. Kramer added the school couldn’t do anything, which made them even angrier.“Just because someone might look different than someone else, you shouldn’t assume their capabilities. Kathryn can do anything we can do,” McGruder added.Frustrated, the girls teamed up with Embry and recorded a video about the incident to share on social media and help spread the word that this kind of discrimination isn’t okay.“I tried to go on the Ferris wheel with my buddy, but they said I can’t because I have disabilities,” Kathryn said in the video.Setting the Record StraightAfter hearing about the incident, Embry’s mom called the store. The manager explained that while he wasn’t aware of the specific incident, the store has a policy that everyone riding the Ferris wheel needs to be able to follow the rules. The class that day was half made up of kids with special learning needs and half of the peers who work with them.“They said everybody with disabilities in the group, you need to have a person who’s an adult chaperone,” Karen said. Her issue, however, was that no one asked her daughter if she understood the rules. She did, perfectly.“The thing is, Kathryn has Down Syndrome, so you can look at her and see that she has a disability,” Karen said. “But it says nothing about what her capabilities are. She can read the rules. She can follow the rules.”“I’ve been on the Scheels trip before. They’ve let other students with disabilities ride with peer tutors,” Kramer explained. “They told her she couldn’t even ride with a peer, with another student, which is just outrageous.”Raising AwarenessUltimately, Embry isn’t out to hurt anybody or to start a call to action against the store. What she hopes to gain by sharing her story is awareness: she wants to educate others so that these types of incidents stop happening.She and her mom would also appreciate a policy change and perhaps an apology.“We’re not here about a boycott [or to] shut down a business that’s been very generous in our community,” Kathryn’s family told the publication. “We’re about educating — not just the community at large, but business," she continued. "Even if it’s unintentional, it’s still illegal, and it’s still wrong because it perpetuates stereotypes and it hurts a population, especially who are hitting this young adult stage.”Standing Up for What’s RightThis story is a great reminder to all of us that we don’t know what we don’t know, but it is on us to educate ourselves and to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes in order to eliminate stereotypes and prejudices. We can only be an ally if we take the time to learn and understand those around us who may be different, after all.More importantly, the kindness of Embry’s friends and the way they were so quick to defend her is heartwarming and inspiring. When we see an injustice, it’s important to speak up and be there for others rather than burying our heads in the sand.More from Goalcast:Parents Abandon Baby With Down Syndrome at Birth — Years Later, She’s a Famous ActorMan With Down Syndrome Has Worked at Wendy’s for 20 Years – Instead of Rewarding His Loyalty, He Was Fired