For Scott Maloney, some teen's selfless act last Friday will never be forgotten. Three nominees for homecoming king at Unionville Community High School in Tennessee surprised the special needs teenager and audience members with a gesture that caused a bit of shock and awe.
According to a Jan. 23 GMA report, Jesse Cooper, Drew Gibbs and Zeke Grissom made a pact. Essentially, they agreed the winner with the most votes for homecoming king would hand over the crown and medal to Scott instead. The selfless act by the teens wouldn't go unnoticed.
Maloney, a beloved junior at the school has a genetic condition called Williams Syndrome. It involves a problem with his nervous system that hinders learning and the ability to properly speak. However, it doesn't stop the bubbly teen from smiling.
When the moment came for the winner of the homecoming king to be announced, Maloney's teacher, Liz Hestle Gassaway, helped usher in the moment not many will soon forget.
"When they called [Scotty's] name, his eyes got really big and I don't know that he registered exactly what was happening. He knew something was. It was very, very emotional," she said.
The crowd erupted in emotion and thunderous applause. And of course, Maloney's eyes were as wide as a deer's. In fact, in that priceless moment, Scott appeared to be just as normal as any of his peers. Perhaps, that's the magic of what joy can bring, if only for a moment.
On that Friday, Unionville Community High School was one of the happiest places in Bedford County. And to show their support for the kind gesture from the teenagers, Scott received a standing ovation for about 30 full seconds.
"I've been blessed with so many things. I just wanted Scotty to experience something great in his high school days," said Jesse Cooper on the teen's selfless act of kindness.
"He's always happy, so he deserves some recognition for who he is," Gibbs said about his friend, who was thought to have shed a tear or two.
While one of the nominees admitted that they would have merely placed the king's medal on a shelf and would have likely forgotten about it, Maloney wears it proudly.
In fact, he wore it to school just on Tuesday and takes it wherever he goes.
The teen's unselfish act of kindness is just what the school is all about. It deeply cares about its own and treats everyone equally. In short, they're one big family, now led by a proud king until next year.
Comments