Fifth Graders Protect a Bullied Classmate With Special Needs

A group of fifth-graders decided to lend some much-needed help to a classmate with special needs.

The five—Jack Pemble, Jake Burgess, Gus Gartzke, Tyler Jones, and Landon Kopischke—watched as other kids in their class teased James Willmert, who has special needs.

“They were like, using him and taking advantage of him,” Jake explained, “because he’s easier to pick on, and it’s just not right,” Jack added.

Burgess, who appears to be the leader of the group, made an imposing presence as he accompanied James at the lunch line and to the table where they ate.

The group vowed to keep a close eye on James, and to protect him from any would-be bullies and if need be, to lay down the law.

The impact has already been huge. James is much happier and wants to go outside for recess.

“He used to not want to go out for recess or anything, it would be like a struggle,” Margi Willmert, James’ mom, told USA Today.

“And now he can barely eat his lunch to get outside to play with those guys.”