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Bate Middle School sixthgrader Caleb Campbell collects Halloween candy for classmates Eli Gooch and Ben Harper, who were injured last week when they were struck by an SUV as they were walking home from school. (Stephanie Mojica/smojica@amnews.com / November 6, 2012) |
Bate Middle School student Caleb Campbell was so concerned when two of his classmates were hit by a SUV last week that he sacrificed his Halloween to help bring them cheer.
The sixth-grader — along with other Bate students — was devastated when classmates Eli Gooch and Ben Harper were hit by an SUV as they walked home from school Tuesday afternoon, said school guidance counselor Shari Satterly. Instead of trick-or-treating for himself on Halloween, Caleb collected candy to give to Eli and Ben.
“I sit next to Ben in almost every class,” Caleb said. “The accident made me really sad so all of my candy went towards them. A lot of people said eating candy was probably the least of their worries, but we’re kids and we want candy on Halloween.”
Eli suffered a possible pelvic fracture and Ben hurt his arm in the accident. Both have returned home and are on the road to recovery, though Satterly said she is unsure when they will be able to return to school.
Other Bate students as well as staff members have been collecting candy in Satterly’s office and also making get-well cards. Once Satterly makes arrangements with Eli and Ben’s parents, Caleb and others will deliver the goodies to them.
Caleb, the son of Kristy Bean and Darren Campbell, said he is interested in volunteerism, sports and politics, and hopes to be some type of businessman and community volunteer when he grows up.
His thoughtfulness drew praise from Superintendent Carmen Coleman.
“Caleb is a wonderful young man and it doesn't surprise me at all that he was leading the charge for his classmates,” Coleman said.
