Boy Was Bullied Over His Homemade Tennessee Shirt, So The School Made It An Official Design
Kids Are Cruel
Sometimes you just need a heartwarming story. Laura Snyder, a teacher at Altamonte Elementary School in Altamonte Springs, FL, had a Facebook post go viral after recounting one of her student's experience with "College Colors Day." When one of her students didn't have any apparel to demonstrate his love for the University of Tennessee Vols, he took matters into his own hands and made a logo to stick on an orange shirt.
However, as excited as he was about his ingenuity, his happiness was quickly crushed. Snyder explained:
"When the day finally arrived, he was SO EXCITED to show me his shirt. I was impressed that he took it one step further to make his own label... Some girls at the lunch table next to his (who didn't even participate in college colors day) had made fun of his sign that he had attached to his shirt. He was DEVASTATED."
UT Steps In
Snyder decided to reach out to some people that she knew at UT in order to get a shirt for the boy, but the viral post was making the rounds among UT fans, and before long the university reached out and sent her student a box full of official swag.
"You all have taken this above and beyond what I had ever imagined... My student was so amazed at all the goodies in the box," she said. "He proudly put on the jersey and one of the many hats in the box. All who saw had either goosebumps or tears while we explained that he had inspired and touched the lives of so many people."
Official Merch
However, UT took it one step further and made the student's design into an official shirt for the merch store, with a portion of the proceeds going to anti-bullying foundations. Snyder said that her student couldn't be more thrilled. While the student was kept anonymous, she shared a letter from the boy's mom on Facebook.
"I am overwhelmed by the love I feel from this extended community and the pride I feel for my son and for being a VFL. Every comment, item sent, and action taken on behalf of my son will never be forgotten and hopefully will serve as inspiration for him throughout his life."
Is it getting a little dusty in here or is that just me?
