Caught on Camera: Middle schooler spreads kindness to a classmate

A picture was taken at Clewiston Middle School showing an eighth-grader spreading kindness to a classmate on a rainy day.

That young boy’s family says they are being supported. And, that photo, which was taken by the school’s principal, is inspiring a community.

A small act of kindness had a huge impact on eighth-grader Jerry Hernandez. “I told him he didn’t really need to do that but he did it out of his kindness,” Hernandez said.

Jerry and his friend, Lamar, were walking to class at Clewiston Middle School on Friday. As it began to rain, Lamar used his umbrella to shield Jerry. “It really means a lot because people really don’t do that,” said Hernandez.

That small moment was captured in a photo. “I saw my principal take out her phone and then we were laughing because we’re like ‘we’re going to get posted on Facebook,” Hernandez said.

On social media is where Jerrys’ mom, Norma Escobar, saw the picture. It overwhelmed her but in the best way. “I was crying because you don’t see that every day,” said Escobar.

 

Jerry Hernandez has Cerebral Palsy and uses a walker to get around. His mom told WINK News that she had her concerns when Jerry started middle school. Seeing things like this helped ease Escobar’s worries. “I know there could be other kids or bullying you know kids like that exist you know,” Escobar said.

“Seeing that gave me comfort made me feel good because Jerry is very loved and there are kids that are looking out for him,” said Escobar.

This simple gesture was captured in a single image. That image shows the power that caring for others has. Escobar believes we need to see more things like this more. The world needs more kids like Lamar, she says. “It’s very hard when you have a special needs child and all you do is worry and worry because there could be cruel people in the world but seeing this gives it a lot of hope,” Escobar said.

“I feel like it’s just a photo but how other people see it like I think it means more to them,” Hernandez said.

Jerry told WINK News he met Lamar last year. They have many classes together. That picture has now been shared over 1,000 times on Facebook.