NEW PALESTINE — The motto no student left behind rang true at New Pal Intermediate.
79 students rallied behind another after they were struggling to finish the mile in gym class.
The small act of kindness has made a big impact on Colin Hecker, 11.
Classmates and teachers said Colin Hecker has the kindest heart, and always gives so much to fellow classmates.
"He is a kid who just exudes excitement, enthusiasm, love for whoever is close to him, around him," Jessica Walker a 5th-grade teacher at New Pal Intermediate said.
Colin said he loves school and likes being there for others.
"I help a lot of people. If they like fall down, I help them back up," Hecker said.
But he wasn't the one helping others on the track Tuesday. Most of the students were getting ready to run the mile, and Colin had a doctor's note excusing him from it because he had been sick, but he decided to run anyway.
On the last lap of the mile, he was struggling.
"My shoulders were getting tired after like my third lap. I said I just want to quit. But no, I just never want to give up," Hecker said.
Hecker's mom, Ashley says that never give up attitude is what she tries to hone in at home.
"Something that we want to instill in our children is that never give up attitude," Ashley Hecker said. "Even it takes you a little bit longer, even if you have to find another way to do it, just do it until the end. Cross that finish line."
And Colin kept pushing but said he wouldn't have been able to finish if it weren't for his fellow classmates.
His classmates noticed he was struggling and returned the favor to a friend who is always helping them.
Every student went to where he was on the track and ran with him to the finish line.
Grady Nicholson, 11, was one of those students and said he thought, "What if it was me and no one was there?"
Walker said seeing the students help another made her smile.
"You hope that what you are teaching in the classroom will spread beyond the walls of our school and again it was shown 10-fold," Walker said.
-
IMPD specialized teams recover nearly 2,000 guns in 2025
Newly released numbers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department highlight the significant impact of specialized teams working to reduce violent crime across the Circle City.
Carmel Police roll out new tech to protect officers during traffic stops
The Carmel police are introducing new technology to protect officers during traffic stops, following a weekend when three Indiana State Police vehicles were struck while parked on the roadside.
Holiday prices rise as tariffs and inflation hit retailers and customers
The most wonderful time of the year could soon become the most expensive as retailers and customers alike deal with rising inflation, new tariffs and higher operating costs this year.
Monroe County cancels homeless camp eviction on county-owned land
Monroe County hoped to remove a homeless community between Switchyard Park and RCA Community Park before Christmas. Instead, the tents will remain for the foreseeable future.
