The Brave Skaters: A Night to Remember
Sometimes, being in the right place at the right time isn’t enough to make a difference. It takes courage to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.
For four young boys, what started as just another night out skating turned into a thrilling and unforgettable adventure. Arnaud Nimenya, Carsyn Wright, James Hielema, and Starlyn Rives-Perez were having a great time practicing their tricks in an underground parking lot when they noticed something very strange happening.
Suddenly, they saw an older man, dressed sharply in nice clothes, dragging a young girl, maybe around fifteen years old, through the parking lot. She was clearly drunk and having a hard time. The boys exchanged worried glances, sensing that something was very wrong.
One of the boys, recalling that shocking night, said, “She was screaming and yelling. All she wanted to do was leave.” The girl looked dirty, with scratches all over her arms.
At first, the man claimed to be her father. The boys hesitated, unsure about what to do. Carsyn said, “You really don’t want to imagine the worst of someone like him. You just brush it off and hope for the best because you don’t want that situation to be real.”
But deep down, they felt something was off, so they decided to check on her again. That choice would change everything.
When they returned, they could hardly believe their eyes. The girl, defenseless and terrified, was being attacked by the man! James couldn’t hide his horror, saying, “You freeze when you see something like that as soon as you come in. You don’t know what to do.”
In that moment, the boys knew they had to act fast. Without thinking of their own safety, they ran towards the attacker. The man saw them and started to flee, but Arnaud wasn’t going to let him get away. “He was attempting to leave and walk away from us,” he remembered.
“I got a smirk and thought, ‘I can do this,’ after he shoved me violently out of my way. There is nothing you can do about it.”
It was a fierce scene as the boys chased after the assailant. He grabbed one of their skateboards and swung it at them, trying to fight back. But these brave teenagers refused to let their fear hold them back.
Instead, they fought with everything they had, determined to protect the girl.
Just as things were getting dangerous, the police arrived, and the attacker was quickly caught. The boys breathed a sigh of relief. The girl was safe, and they had done the right thing.
Later, the police praised the boys for their bravery. They honored Arnaud, Carsyn, James, and Starlyn by inviting them to the Chief’s Awards Gala, where they would receive special recognition for their heroic actions.
“What you guys did makes us really proud,” the police chief said. “You even put your lives at risk to protect someone who needed help. You are true heroes.”
The boys couldn’t believe it. They never expected to be recognized for just doing what felt right. They were just regular kids who loved skateboarding, and now they were being celebrated for their courage.
Their story is a powerful reminder that sometimes all it takes is a little bravery to make a big difference. These young men taught us that real heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and they inspire us to stand up for what is right, no matter how scared we might feel.
What do you think of this incredible story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
