Earlier this summer, tragedy hit Appanoose County, Iowa, when a 17-year-old high school student and Prom King was found dead just an hour after being reported missing.
On June 26, 2024, Ayden Beeson was swimming when he disappeared under the water and never resurfaced. A 911 call reported a possible drowning at Rathbun Lake. The Appanoose County Sheriff and the Water Rescue team quickly launched a search, but sadly, the outcome was heartbreaking.
The rescue team found Ayden’s body in 15 to 20 feet of water. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ayden was a popular student in the Centerville School District. He was a leader on the football field, a talented tennis player, and had been voted Prom King before his spring graduation.
Superintendent Mark Taylor expressed the community’s grief, saying, “Losing such a great kid in the prime of his life is devastating. He was kind to everyone, really popular, and there wasn’t a single person at school he couldn’t be nice to.”
Ayden’s coach shared a heartfelt tribute, saying Ayden wasn’t afraid of hard work and was a standout player. His loss is deeply felt by all who knew him.
The day after Ayden Beeson’s passing, the Centerville Community Schools shared a heartfelt message on their Facebook page, expressing that they were “deeply saddened” to learn about the loss of one of their beloved students.
The district highlighted Ayden’s active involvement in the school community and emphasized how he was known and appreciated by both staff and students for his “genuinely kind” nature.
Ayden’s passing has left a profound impact on those who knew him, with many remembering him as a kind and positive presence in the school.
The Importance of Kindness and Acceptance
I learned early on the importance of respecting people for who they are, despite differences. I think most people can agree that it is a basic moral lesson. Regretfully, there are still those who do not understand the value of basic acceptance and kindness.
A recent horrific event at Disney World brought to light the abhorrent depths of some people’s conduct. A brawl broke out at Belle Vue Lounge, a bar within the Boardwalk Inn, on January 25, leading to the arrest of Brent George, a 61-year-old man. Brent claimed to have been attacked by a nearby family he had been drinking with when police came. He had cuts and bruises on his face.
But more research told a different story. According to the family, a drunken Brent had come up to their table and started making fun of their sister, who has Down syndrome, by mimicking her sporadic grunts. Brent shoved the girl’s mother as she defended her daughter. A family member named Wesley Golberg attempted to step in, but Brent slapped him instead. Wesley and Brent got into a physical fight as a result, which ended when a bystander came to Wesley’s aid and took Brent out of the area.
The police opted to take into account all sides of the argument before taking Brent into custody and accusing him of four first-degree violence crimes. His plea to the charges was not guilty.
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The internet was incensed at Brent’s actions as word of the incident proliferated online. Many more showed their support for the family by denouncing the attack on Wesley and the girl’s mother as well as the belittling of someone with a disability. It’s evident that a lot of people thought Brent’s actions were wrong and should have resulted in consequences.
This event should serve as a reminder of how important it is to show compassion and kindness to other people. In addition to being upsetting, making fun of and belittling someone due to their differences can also escalate into violent confrontations. Let’s work to make the world a more caring and welcoming place where everyone is respected.
When you first read this story, how did you feel? Tell us in the comments below.
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