Harley Riders Escort Bullied Student to School
Fifty motorcyclists made sure that 11-year-old Phil Mick arrived at his first day of sixth grade safe and in style.
Motorcyclists get a bad rep for being speed demons that bully other drivers on the road. But that just isn’t the case for the majority of individuals that choose to brave the elements on two wheels. And this heart-warming story from ABC News proves that Harley-Davidson riders are some of the kindest individuals on the road.
As the outlet reports, Phil Mick, an 11-year-old from Auburn, Ind., was hesitant to start his first day of sixth grade. His mother, Tammy Mick, claims that Phil didn’t want to return to school because of bullies.
“He was hiding it,” Mick told ABC News. “He came home with bumps and bruises. He said he wanted to end his life and I stepped up as a parent and tried to get things taken car of.”
Instead of missing the first day of school, Phil ended up arriving in style thanks to 50 Harley-Davidson riders that escorted him to school. ABC News reports that Brent Warfield, sales manager of KDZ Motorcycle Sales and Service, stepped in and helped the Mick family after learning about Phil’s situation.
“I met Phil and I met Tammy and she had told me about him getting bullied,” said Warfield. “I said, ‘Well next year get a hold of me and we can give him an escorted ride to school.’”
Warfield felt compelled to lend a hand after learning about the 11-year-old’s unfortunate circumstances. “When you hear an 11-year-old kid talking about getting kicked and picked on all because they don’t have as much money or wear nice clothes, being overweight and then having an 11-year-old son myself, it reached down deep and hit me,” said Warfield.
To help Phil get to school in an unforgettable way, Warfield, as the outlet states, reached out to various bikers on Facebook with a plea to help escort the student to school on August 1. And boy did bikers answer the call. ABC News reports that 50 motorcyclists arrived to Phil’s house and brought school supplies and new clothes for him to wear to school. The process worked, as Warfield claims Phil’s confidence skyrocketed.
“It gave him confidence,” Warfield said. “The middle school is a fresh start for him. I’ve talked to him several days since. He goes to school happy, comes home happy.”
Mick also said that she noticed an immediate difference with her son’s demeanor. “I wanted to cry, it was so heartwarming,” stated Mick. “Every day, he talks about that ride. He said it was amazing. [To] Brent and all the riders who came, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank them. They made my son very happy.” The pictures, which were taken by Warfield and ABC21 WPTA reveal just how successful the escort was.
Sure, there’s the occasional rider that’s just interested in cutting traffic, but there are a few good ones out there that are willing to go the extra mile to share the wonderful experience of riding with others.
