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Couple on a red carpet and a man kissing a woman's head
Uplifting News

Jelly Roll Is Kicked Out Of His High School - Years Later, He Returns With a Surprise

High school is either one of the best times or one of the worst times of your life, depending on how you lived it. You might have nostalgia for the “good old days,” or you might want to leave that part of your life far, far behind.For famous country star Jelly Roll, the high school years were especially dramatic. In fact, he’s been quite open in the past about those years of drug addiction and legal battles. Things got so bad that he was actually kicked out of his high school in Nashville, Tennessee.

Teen Realizes Something Isnt Right at a Stop Light - Causes a Car Crash on Purpose to Save Strangers Life
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Teen Realizes Something Isnt Right at a Stop Light - Causes a Car Crash on Purpose to Save Strangers Life

It's not every day you hear that a car crash prevented an accident rather than caused it, but that's exactly what happened one morning when one high school student was on her way to school.Nobody Wanted to Help a Stranger — Until One Teenage Girl Came to the RescuePatricia Horwell / Florida WeeklyTeenager Olivia Jones had only just obtained her driver's license when the unthinkable happened. While she had stopped at a red light, Olivia looked over and noticed the driver in the lane next to her appearing unwell, to say the least.At first, Olivia wasn't sure what she was seeing. “I thought she was texting, because she was looking down, straight down," but Olivia was dead wrong. In reality what was about to happen would take "distracted driving" to a whole new level. Olivia was ready to turn away and focus on the road ahead when the worst thing that could happen, happened. "She started seizing,” Olivia recalled.It's safe to say when it comes to "fight, flight, or freeze," Olivia's definitely the former. Her fighter instincts kicked in at just the right time and the teenage athlete sprung into action — literally. YouTube / WSTP NewsWhile still at the red light, Olivia flung open her car door and launched herself in to the middle of traffic, waving and screaming to the other driver's in their cars, signalling for help. Despite her frantic efforts, not one single driver came to her aid. This shocking lack of response left Olivia with no choice, and the clock was ticking. Now completely incapacitated, the seizing driver's car was sliding into oncoming traffic. Without a moment's hesitation, Olivia did the only thing she knew how to do.She Took the Hit — So No One Else Had ToIn an act of courage and quick thinking, Olivia put herself in harm's way, in order to save the seizing driver and the other drivers in oncoming traffic.The debilitated driver was completely helpless. When Olivia realized no one else on the road was prepared to inconvenience themselves to help save a stranger (and everyone else in her path), she jumped back into her own car and did the gutsiest thing she could do.She allowed the seizing driver to T-bone her car, in order to prevent the driver from barreling head first into oncoming traffic. Olivia pulled off this crazy move by maneuvering her car up and around the cross walk and twisting her wheel all the way to the left — I bet they don't teach that in Driver's Ed.The damage wasn't pretty, but for Olivia? The real damage that would have happened had she not been there, would have been far worse than a dent in her 2003 Nissan Altima.Bobby Lewis / WSTPAfter the successful crash (you don't hear that everyday), Olivia rushed out of her car, set the woman’s vehicle in park, and removed her seatbelt. The woman had blood in her mouth and had involuntarily wet herself, so Olivia helped her onto the floor as she called 911. Only 2 minutes later, an ambulance arrived and rushed the woman to the hospital. It's easy to chalk up Olivia's bravery to just young dumb luck, but the truth is, her heroic act was just a testament to her character.Bravery Was in Her Nature and It Paid OffYouTube / WSTP NewsEven though Olivia's friends were quick to call her rescue mission "dumb," many authority figures saw her act in a different light. "She just jumped right in. It was amazing. It was amazing. We’re so proud of her," one teacher remarked of her courage.“I was just really blown away when I was told the story. That’s so her. That’s so Olivia." Leslie Hopkins, Clearwater PrincipalWhen Olivia's story was shared, it was clear she's a standout student in more ways than one. The Clearwater High School athlete is a volleyball star. She shared she had plans of attending college on a volleyball scholarship and becoming an orthopaedic surgeon — and while it may be too early to tell if Olivia has a promising career in the medical field, she certainly has the quick decision-making chops for the job!In the midst of feeling overwhelmed and scared, she still managed to find a solution. "My legs were shaking," Olivia shared, "I was really nervous."She Had No Plans to Repair Her Vehicle DamageEven though Olivia was more than happy to sport a dent on her car door (because what high school student can afford to pay for car repairs), her selfless act caught the attention of a local auto body shop — who chose to mirror Olivia's selfless act of kindness and step up. Boy, did they not disappoint.Bobby Lewis / WSTPThe mechanics surprised Olivia when they offered to fix her car for free! To sweeten the deal, the mechanics even incorporated a few extra touches, decking out Olivia's Nissan with black and red stripes, mirroring the school colors she sports on her volleyball jersey."Being young that gives her incentive to be good, to not to turn your back on somebody but to help somebody out,” said Alan Bland, the man who fixed her car.Try and Put Yourself in Someone Else’s ShoesSuccess ConsciousnessIt's easy to think we know what we'd do in a scary situation, but sometimes, when the unthinkable happens, our brains go into survival mode. Like the other drivers in traffic — we want to stay as far away from the chaos as possible.Studies have proven if you're in trouble, don't yell "HELP" — instead shout, “FIRE, FIRE, FIRE” at the top of your lungs. People will stop and pay attention if you yell "fire" because it has a connection to their safety and they will run to your aid to see what's happening. If you've ever witnessed something troubling happen and you've stood by instead of stood up — it doesn't make you a bad person. Just know it's your human nature kicking in trying to protect you. However, as Olivia's story proves, if we can find the strength to be superhuman — even if for only a few quick moments — it can make all the difference for someone who needs the "protection" more than we do.It's hard to put yourself in someone else's shoes, especially when it's an inconvenient time like rush hour...but it's not hard to imagine how grateful the driver who had the seizure is for Olivia's kindness. After all, wouldn't you be?

Man Messages His High School Bully on Facebook After 20 Years and Confronts Him - But He Receives an Unexpected Response
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Man Messages His High School Bully on Facebook After 20 Years and Confronts Him - But He Receives an Unexpected Response

Trigger Warning: This article mentions suicide.*Featured image contains photo by Anna ShvetsHigh school can be a rough time for kids, with a capital R. The hallowed halls are a breeding ground for drama, self-loathing, broken hearts, and a burning desire to just fit in. For Michael Stright, high school was a battlefield. A place where he endured relentless bullying at the hands of two of his fellow classmates. It got so bad, in fact, that he attempted suicide multiple times and eventually dropped out.Years later, at the age of 42, he discovered one of his tormentors on Facebook and decided to confront his past. It didn't go as he expected.Facing the Ghost of His PastIn a recent TikTok video that has gone viral, Michael shares that in 2013 he found his childhood bully, Jeff, on Facebook through a mutual friend. Seeing his name "brought back a lot of bad memories" for Michael. He had two choices; he could continue to give Jeff power over his life or he could face his demon. He chose the latter.In an incredible act of courage, Michael wrote Jeff a message. And Jeff? Well, he responded. And finally, after years and years of harboring trauma, Michael was able to find closure, peace, and healing for that inner child who suffered so much pain.He shared screenshots of their conversation which have been viewed by over 2.9 million people in just a few days.Prepare yourself.Michael did not tread lightly. He had a lot to say and he wasn't about to sugarcoat any of it. "Certain memories stay with you for life and the horrible memories of having you teasing me day after day. Did you know that I tried to commit suicide 3 times in school cause of the sh*t you and others put me through?"Michael StrightMichael went on to explain that he wasn't looking for pity. He just wanted the chance to finally move on.A Bully Responds To Michael's surprise, the response he received was not defensive or dismissive. Instead, his former bully expressed deep remorse for the pain he had caused and thanked him for calling him out.Despite not meaning to be malicious, Jeff acknowledged that his intentions back then didn't matter — "because it hurt you and nobody deserves to feel like that." He even opened up to Michael about his own kids being bullied, wondering if it is "retribution" for the way he treated him. (After all, what goes around, comes around.) He went on to admit to contemplating suicide himself due to depression and anxiety. "I am VERY happy that you did not commit suicide because of the actions of an insensitive classmate. I was an idiot and thought I was being "cool"...I was just an asshole, and I truly hope confronting me about this does make you feel better because you deserve that," Jeff wrote. He added, "I'll never be able to apologize enough to undo the damage I did, but please know that I'll be forever grateful for you having the courage to show me what I truly was ... and I'm disgusted and ashamed of myself."Jeff's emotional apology had a profound effect on Michael, bringing him to tears. But he wasn't the only one crying...several thousands of commenters were crying right along with him.Response to the TikTok Was StaggeringTo say the video has resonated with a lot of people is an understatement. The number of people with similar experiences is heartbreaking. Commenter after commenter shared their own stories, many of them with a much darker ending."That feeling of being bullied relentlessly has never left me, I'm 42 now. I cannot or will never forgive them. They took my formative years away. 😔""I'm 43 and because of being bullied my brain will never let me believe that anyone really likes me, anyone my sister, fiance friends family it's hard.""It sticks with you for life, changes who you are, stops you achieving things because of lack of confidence. It never leaves you. Some scars can't heal.""My brother was horrifically bullied during his school years, affected his life and how he was as an adult. Sadly he took his own life at 27." The Power of Redemption and ForgivenessJeff passed away in 2017, four years after his text exchange with Michael. As for Michael? He's glad he reached out when he did.Not only did it take a lot of courage for Michael to confront his high school bully, but it took a lot of maturity, emotional integrity, and personal growth for Jeff to respond the way he did. He took ownership of his actions and did his best to make amends. And isn't that what this life is all about? That we continuously evolve and grow so that we can become the best versions of ourselves?Despite their past history of anguish and torment, the two men were able to come together in a beautiful display of the power of forgiveness and redemption. And while it may have been two decades in the making, it's also proof that it's never too late to make up for past mistakes. More from Goalcast:Racist Man Refuses to Apologize for His Daughter’s Bullying – Until the Victim’s Father Gets the Last LaughTeen Finds Out His Classmates Are Bullying His Best Friend for His Old Shoes – So He Saves Up $135 and Does ThisMom Learns Her Son Has Been Bullying His Classmate – What She Does Next Shocks the Internet

Excited Teen Is Refused Entry at Her Prom - Is Told to Wear Her Vice Principals Jacket for This Reason
Uplifting News

Excited Teen Is Refused Entry at Her Prom - Is Told to Wear Her Vice Principals Jacket for This Reason

"Her excitement during this memorable time of her life turned into embarrassment at the hands of adults who are supposed to be leading her."Sadly, these angry words accurately describe an ordeal that brings a girl to tears and a school on blast. A Student’s Bad Dance DreamPhoto by Juan Pablo Serrano ArenasCrying in the bathroom is a far cry from where Amy Steverson pictured this night. Yet after what just happened, it's her only safe space. How did this happen?All the planning, the anticipation, and the excitement of just a couple of short hours ago, destroyed. Now, humiliated and in tears, there's no way out. And, just as if things couldn't get worse, they are about to. What happens next sends one mother and thousands online into a rage, and with good reason. And to think, it was all over a dress? A Dress DisasterPhoto by Marcel StraußPer Metro, Amy Steverson and her friend Bronte Taylor arrive ready for a night to remember. Like everyone else at the Maryville, Tennessee senior high school prom, Steverson is dressed to impress, paining over each detail. However after arriving, she quickly finds out that her dress has another purpose: shame. That's because school administration stops her at the door and tells her her dress is 'too revealing.'It's at that moment that she runs to the bathroom, crying. But things only get worse when, as she emerges from the bathroom, she is told to wear the Vice Principal's jacket to cover up. Then a teacher comes up to her and says, “Us big girls gotta cover up.”So there's Steverson, smiling with silly poses in the prom photo booth with friends, 'covered up' with a middle-aged man's jacket.While she makes a success of her night without making a scene, plenty of voices will be speaking up for her, with one very close to home. A Mother’s Outrage Goes ViralOne person who won't stay quiet is Tiffani Taylor, the mother of Amy's friend and prom sidekick. When she hears what happened to Steverson, she takes to Facebook to scold the school. "This young girl was SHAMED for having breasts. Her excitement during this memorable time of her life turned into embarrassment at the hands of adults who are supposed to be leading her, she writes, adding: SHAME on YOU, Maryville. I think you look amazing, Amy."The post quickly goes viral, shared more than 12,000 times and received over 44,000 likes. Needless to say, the comments are full of outrage at the school and nothing but love for the prom princess. "This young lady is beautiful & classy! It's a shame that administration could ruin such a special day for her! I hope she realizes it was all their problem not hers at all. It's unacceptable that she was called out!" writes one."If she still has any doubts, I hope she reads these comments and knows that she is beautiful, the dress is completely appropriate and she did nothing wrong."It’s Not What You Wear It’s Who You ArePhoto by Eva BronziniAmy has not commented on this story or made any formal complaint to the school about the incident.To be fair, I get the school having their own standard of decorum for those who take part at an event under their roof. But this isn't the time to single out a 'big girl' because her dress doesn't fall on her like all the 'normal' girls. Nevemind that this isn't science class, but one of a teen's last memories before diving into adulthood. Let's hope that after a little self-reflection, the school realizes the same and will let teens be teens.Meanwhile, Amy, don't you change a thing!More from Goalcast:Teen Refuses to Go to Prom With Her Classmate in Front of 2000 People – Crushed, He Comes Up With a New PlanBullied Teen Feels “Worthless” Before Prom – Little Did She Know 300 Bikers Were About to Give Her a Night She’d Never ForgetFourth Grader Makes a Promise to Classmate With Down Syndrome – Years Later, He Shows Up to Fulfill the Pact

Teen Finds Out Her Grandmother Has Been Saving Pennies for Four Years - For One Very Special Reason
Uplifting News

Teen Finds Out Her Grandmother Has Been Saving Pennies for Four Years - For One Very Special Reason

Prom is a big deal for many people. It’s the first event that marks a teen's transition into adulthood. For some, it’s their first chance to dress up and act fancy. And for many, it’s a reason to celebrate their achievements with friends.Having the right outfit can go a long way in helping a promgoer feel special, which is why this story hits home for so many.A Grandmother Saves for YearsJayden Shatzer knows she has a special grandmother. That’s why she decided to share her with the rest of the world via TikTok. In a video from earlier this year, Jayden explained how her grandmother, Kim, went above and beyond to make sure she had the best prom ever.“My grandma has been saving these pennies since I started high school,” she captioned the video, which included jars of pennies being poured into a coin-counting machine. In fact, there were so many pennies that, at one point, they jammed up the machine.“She saved them to buy my senior prom dress,” Jayden explained. “Get a Grandma like mine,” she captioned the overall video.In the end, the coins added up to a little over $357 — $340 after counting fees. It was more than enough for Jayden to pick out a beautiful dress and shoes for her special night. As for the video, it went viral with more than a million views.“For all of you saying you love my grandma, I swear she literally didn’t even know I was posting this,” Jayden added in another video.The Prom of a LifetimeWith so many people invested in Jayden’s dress thanks to her grandmother’s kind act, the teen eventually posted some follow-up videos to show users her prom look. In a May 7, 2023 post, she called her floor-length seafoam dress (with a gorgeous slit) her “penny prom dress” as she posed in various photos.“All thanks to Grandma Kim,” she added to the video overtop a photo of her hugging her grandmother.According to the various photos and videos Jayden shared, she definitely had the prom of a lifetime — and a dress that perfectly encapsulated her grandmother’s love. Although in the caption, she admitted the best part was leaving prom and going to Applebees.In the comments, plenty of people pointed out how awesome Jayden's grandmother is. Others wished their grandmothers were still alive so that they, too, could have moments like these.“She’s our grandma now,” one person wrote.“She seems so sweet,” wrote another. “I miss my grandma so much. Cherish her.”Making the Most of Your MomentsHaving a special bond with a grandparent (or really any other family member or chosen family member) is something worth celebrating. If you’re lucky enough to still have someone like that in your life, this story reminds us all to cherish and make the most of it while we still have it.Time isn’t promised, but you can promise yourself to make the most of the time you do have. Make the call. Plan the get-together. Send the note you’ve been meaning to send. At the end of the day, you’ll never regret the memories you made, but you will regret not making more of an effort while you still could.More from Goalcast:Teen Is Devastated When Her “Friend” Ruins Her $500 Prom Dress – Little Did She Know There Was So Much More to ComeStudent Banned From Prom for Wearing Suit – So Strangers Stepped in to Make It Up to Them in the Best WayTeen Didn’t Have a Date for Her Prom – So Her Grandfather Steps in the Best Way

High School Teen Accepted to Over 50 US Colleges — Receives More Than $1.3 Million in Scholarship Offers
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High School Teen Accepted to Over 50 US Colleges — Receives More Than $1.3 Million in Scholarship Offers

A young woman from Atlanta has assembled quite the academic portfolio. Daya Brown, a high school senior, has been offered more than $1.3 million in cumulative scholarships on her way to be accepted to over 50 colleges spread all across America.There’s only one Daya Brown, though, so in the end, she could only choose to attend one school. What did Daya do that made her such an eligible young scholar, though?Daya Brown Started Planning for College Years Before ApplyingFarrah Brown/FacebookIn a post shared on Facebook and viewed thousands of times, Daya Brown’s mother, Farrah, says she tells her children to have one job and that is to "take their education seriously and to be well rounded and advocate for themselves."The "super proud mom" says Daya has understood the assignment for sure." And we'd have to agree.Daya was working hard at her “job” of excelling at studies, taking on plenty of extracurriculars, and actively planning for college applications years before it would actually come time to apply.RELATED: As A Child, She Lived In A Garbage Dump – Today, She Just Earned A College ScholarshipIn regard to her impressive college acceptances, Daya said she started her process in quarantine during her sophomore year. "I started to curate a list of schools that had certain majors or were great in what I wanted to study which was mass communications or film," she said. "Once I had that list, it all came down to doing those extracurricular activities, because I think a lot of the times students don't understand that you have to be more than just a student.”While ensuring she kept her grades up, Daya also got involved with writing poetry, prose, and film production — which she saw as a potential future career. She went so far as to form her own production company through which she tried to inspire and support other young media producers.“That was my chance to showcase who I was as a person and who I was as a scholar,” Daya said. “I think a lot of people think that if you're smart, you can't be cool. So I found a way to showcase brilliance [and] still have fun while you're doing it.”Daya was not alone in her efforts to mold herself, either. She and her family described it all as a "village effort," with everyone from her parents, grandma, and her brother helping her along the way.The Applications Followed by the Acceptances and OffersTypically, high schoolers hoping to go on to college apply to a handful of schools. Most have their longshot dream school, a bunch of middle-ground choices, and the slightly disdainfully named “safety school.”Daya cast a wider net than that, though. She applied to dozens and dozens of schools, often spending several hours each day, day after day, thoroughly completing applications.Her hard work more than paid off — both the actual applications and all the years spent applying herself in school work and in life. Daya would be offered a spot at a staggering 50-plus colleges and universities, and if all the scholarships she was offered were totaled, they would amount to more than $1.3 million.Of course, Daya had to choose just one school, and she settled on Duke University.In fact, even after all that work, the choice wasn’t all that hard for this young scholar. "When we stepped foot on Duke’s campus, I honestly had the feeling at that very moment… a sense of home," she said. "I was welcomed by so many amazing Black students who look just like me, who have the same dreams and aspirations as me as well.”She had found her new village.