Royce Franklin, Kadyn Franklin

By Promise Asher

Panther’s Tale

It isn’t difficult to take the luxuries of life for granted — nice cars, houses and the other things we have grown accustomed to having in our daily lives. For some students, however, even basic necessities aren’t easily accessible.

When it comes to clothes, and more specifically shoes, some students aren’t able to afford the best quality clothing or to even replace worn out clothes.

Two freshmen, however, didn’t want to sit silently when they saw a classmate in need of new shoes and came together to provide for the student in need.

The idea was Royce Franklin’s. He noticed how his classmate’s shoes were falling apart and growing worse everyday. He collaborated with his friend, Kadyn Franklin — they aren’t related — to provide for their classmate.

“I said ‘well I have a pair of shoes that aren’t really beat up or anything,’ and I didn’t really wear them much because my feet grew,” Kadyn said.

Together the boys gave the shoes to their classmate and were amazed by his reaction.

“He was super surprised, and I thought he was going to break down in tears,” Royce said.

Although many people want to help others in need, it isn’t easy to always be able to give, but there are ways that students and teachers can help.

“If those students notice someone who needs some help, and they don’t feel comfortable going up and asking them, they can tell somebody and find out who has those resources,” Gary Meitler said.

Meitler works through the Pando Initiative to help students in the community who are in need. Students in need of clothing, shoes or food can go to his room to receive help.

“We get a hold of that student and call them in to talk to them and we can get them a shoe voucher to where they can get new shoes or they can pick out a pair of shoes that we have,” Meitler said.