Laurens County Students Inspired by West Virginia Batman’s Empowering Visit

Laurens County Welcomes a Heroic Visitor to Empower Students

Laurens County, S.C. has recently been buzzing with excitement, and no, it’s not just the usual chatter about school playoffs or local events. It’s because West Virginia Batman is in town! This superhero, whose real name is John Buckland, represents a unique organization called Heroes 4 Higher. Buckland is visiting Laurens County District 55 throughout the week with an incredible mission—to empower students and parents by sharing essential life skills.

A Strong Message for Young Minds

During his time at the schools, Buckland has been spreading four powerful tips for life: never give up, always do the right thing, help others, and never be a bully. These nuggets of wisdom serve not only as a moral compass for students but also as a reminder that their actions can influence their lives and the lives of those around them.

“We’ve got to empower these kids to understand a different perspective,” Buckland explained passionately. “Just because we’ve gone through tough things in life doesn’t mean your life has to be ruined. We can use that tragedy as fuel to change the world around us.” His heartfelt approach truly touches the hearts of the students and faculty alike.

Sharing Personal Stories to Inspire

What makes Buckland so relatable is that he doesn’t just preach. He shares his own life story. He talked about facing numerous hardships as a child, which led him to make some poor choices during his youth. “Through counseling and personal faith decisions, I was able to overcome those tragic things in my life,” he recalled, reminding the students that it’s okay to ask for help.

According to Mindy Carter, a school counselor at Hickory Tavern School, many kids, especially in middle school, hold onto their feelings instead of reaching out for support. Carter believes that Buckland’s unique approach of using a superhero persona makes the message much more engaging and impactful. “Their attention has been captured, and that’s what we need,” she stated.

Principal’s Hope for Lasting Impact

Principal Emily Starling expressed excitement about having Buckland visit their school. “When we heard about West Virginia Batman during the summer, we knew it would be a game changer,” she exclaimed. Starling hopes that the thoughts shared by Buckland stay with the students and encourage them to reflect on their own lives and decisions. She touched on a concerning issue that is often overlooked: “We have thousands of suicide attempts every day among our youth. It’s unacceptable.”

Buckland emphasizes the urgency of addressing these issues and believes that youth must become advocates for their own mental wellbeing. “While adults are busy arguing about everything else, the kids are getting overlooked. Their pain is not stopping, and we must do better,” he declared, advocating for a change in how we view and support the younger generation.

A Call for Community Support

If Buckland’s visit has inspired you or you want to learn more, there’s an invitation for everyone across the Upstate! A Heroes 4 Higher event is scheduled for this Saturday, November 9th, starting at 10:00 a.m. at Lucas Avenue Baptist Church. This event promises to be a gathering full of motivation and support for the community.

As Buckland said, “If you can change one, there might be another one in there, another dreamer, another leader like Martin Luther King. It only takes one person to spark something incredible.” The hope is that together, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for our youth and help them find their own paths forward.

So let’s rally around this message, support each other, and remember that it really does take a village to raise our future generations!