LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A Sweetwater middle schooler said she had the “best day of her life” Wednesday after high school students from Bushland surprised her with a party at Chuck E. Cheese in Lubbock.
Cari Truelock, 13, who has learning disabilities and has been bullied for several years, was chosen as a recipient of the “Be a Friend Project,” a national initiative that sends “friend mail” to a different child experiencing bullying each month.
The Bushland Difference Makers, a high school community service class, has taken part in the national initiative for years. With help from their teacher, Michelle Lancaster, they painted signs and organized the surprise party. When Truelock arrived, she was greeted with cheers and screams from the students.
“Just knowing that she was going to be surprised, I could have never imagined the magnitude. Like, it’s just been a little bit overwhelming,” Cari’s mom, Michelle Truelock, said. “I have no words.”
Along with the party, Truelock received letters from people around the world offering hope and encouragement. She also received a special video message from Iain Armitage, the actor who played “Young Sheldon.”
“You are so cool, so amazing,” Armitage said in the video.
When asked how she felt about the surprise, Truelock said she was “happy, happy happy” and felt “loved” and “special.”
Lancaster has worked with the Be a Friend Project for a decade, encouraging her students to write letters to bullying victims.
“As an educator, I’m always looking for a way for my students to learn how to show empathy and how to make a difference and not just stand by and let things happen, how to be an upstander and do something about it,” Lancaster said.
When the group learned Truelock lived relatively close in Sweetwater, they decided to meet in Lubbock for the special delivery and a day of activities.
Lancaster’s son Brad, a Texas Tech student, serves on the Teen Kindness Board for the Be a Friend Project. He was there to help surprise Truelock and play a few games at Chuck E. Cheese.
“I think that’s really powerful for a kid, especially at that age, whenever you know you might be going through something tough and it’s hard to really see the kindness, and so that’s why we’re here, and so she can physically see that there’s people that have her back,” Brad Lancaster said.
Cari’s mother said being “different” has led to years of bullying for her daughter from other children.
After the day of activities, the teen had a message for others who might feel like they don’t belong.
“Stay strong, be helpful to other people, don’t let them get to you. They’re just haters,” she said.
People can participate in the Be a Friend Project by visiting their website to learn about recipients and where to send letters.
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