One fourth grader has been melting the internet's heart after a story went viral across social media about how he had been bullied over his DIY t-shirt, only for the University of Tennessee to come to the boys aid in the most fantastic way possible.
One fourth grader has been melting the internet's heart after a story went viral across social media about how he had been bullied over his DIY t-shirt, only for the University of Tennessee to come to the boys aid in the most fantastic way possible.
However, the student was upset because he didn't have a t-shirt from the University of Tennessee. So, the student improvised.
However, the boy was heartbroken when other kids bullied him for his home-made shirt.
The boy's teacher, Laura Snyder, took to Facebook to share the tragic story, "he was SO EXCITED to show me his shirt. [...] After lunch, he came back to my room, put his head on on his desk and was crying. Some girls at the lunch table next to his (who didn’t even participate in college colors day) had made fun of his sign that he had attached to his shirt."
The volunteers and staff at the Official University of Tennessee Store were so moved by the young boy's story that they decided to put together a pack filled with University of Tennessee merchandise for the boy and his classmates.
The package was filled with a signed football, jerseys, hats, pencils, notebooks, wristbands, and many more goodies!
She wrote, "My student was so amazed at all the goodies in the box. He proudly put on the jersey and one of the many hats in the box. All who saw had either goosebumps or tears while we explained that he had inspired and touched the lives of so many people.
"This experience is uniting my class even more than I could have imagined, and it was truly amazing to witness!! [...] THANK YOU so much so all who have made this such a positive experience for my student."
Not only did the University of Tennessee take the time to send the class the wonderful selection box, but they also made the boy's hand-drawn logo into an official University of Tennessee logo!
The Official Campus Store of The University of Tennessee tweeted the image and announced that the shirt is now available for pre-order, writing, "Share in a Florida elementary student's Volunteer pride by wearing his design on your shirt too!"
The story has received mass praise for both the University of Tennessee and the boy's teacher for taking the time to share the story.
She wrote in an updated status, "I don’t even know where to begin. I am so incredibly amazed at the outpouring of love and support for my student!! So many people have reached out over the last 24 hours and I have truly lost track."
The University shop tweeted, "Thank you Vol Nation! Currently, our website has crashed due to the overwhelming support! We are working on the problem."
While it is strange that the University of Tennessee would not let the kid see any profits for using his drawing, so long as a portion of the money goes towards the anti-bullying charity then it is still doing some good surely? It's sometimes easy to be too cynical on the internet, and while I completely agree that there should be something that the kid gets for the design, it is still a good thing that the University did sending his class the package. Also, the message behind the shirt is still one of positivity isn't it?
One person tweeted an idea that some of the money made from his design could go towards his college fund, which is a pretty good idea I reckon!
h/t: Buzzfeed News