Caring, Virginia 6th Grader is afraid to go to school because there’s "no one there to protect her.”
Nevaeh's mom says her 6th Grader is a "generous, caring and free-hearted" girl who praise-dances in church, sings in the choir and loves to draw. Nevaeh's main hobby is crocheting, and she taught herself how to knit. The 12 year old enjoys collecting different yarns - and sensory toys. She loves to travel and has a plan to visit Japan to check-out their mega-malls!
When Nevaeh grows up, she wants to own a hospital so she can make the biggest difference in helping people to get better. Her inspiration to find cures and healing for others comes from her care of the elders in her life, such as her great uncle who was blind. If anyone can succeed at such a magnificent career goal, it's Nevaeh! An A-B student in an accelerated program, she was taking seven 8th Grade classes in the 6th Grade.
Unfortunately, after becoming the target of severe racial and appearance bullying, her grades have suffered. Her mom told their local 12 On Your Side Reporter, Sarah Chakales, “She’s afraid of going to school. She feels like if she goes to school, something’s going to happen, and there’s no one there to protect her.”
Nevaeh loves to travel! ✈️💕
The family has reported every incident of the bullying to school administration and asked for meetings, but "nothing has come of it." The bullying started when they moved to Virginia just four years ago from New York. A group of boys began bullying Nevaeh in elementary school, and when the same class entered middle school in the fall of 2023, their bullying intensified.
In the 12 On Your Side feature, Nevaeh's mom said, “Children are pushing her, they’re hitting her, they’re taking her things, taking her phone ... just recently, a little boy beat her up for no apparent reason. She had a little red bruising on her right cheek ... the boy punched her in the head."
Physical and verbal attacks expanded to cyber-bullying. Snapchat pictures posted by classmates show how the bullies throw garbage on Nevaeh's lunches so that she can’t eat, and they rub things on her clothes, like yogurt. Nevaeh's mom said she wondered why her daughter was coming home hungry every day, and then she saw the screenshots. One shows her destroyed lunch with the caption, “Happy Black History Month Guys” (Nevaeh is Native American) and a second screenshot showed Nevaeh's face with the caption “victim.”
Like most children traumatized by on-going, purposeful attacks meant to hurt and humiliate, the caring 12-year-old now struggles with her mental health. She has become very withdrawn and does not want to go to school. “She’s very hurt by it,” Smith said to the reporter. “She feels like, you know, ‘why do they not like me? I’m a nice person. I try to be kind to everyone.’ She’s really sad. She’s really depressed. She had suicidal thoughts." Nevaeh is in counseling to help her cope, and the family is researching different schools.
Watch a YOUTUBE OF NEVAEH'S STORY by our On-Air Teen Vlogger, Brielle Diaz Withers!
AMBASSADORS, BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO BRING HEALING TO NEVAEH FROM BULLYING - JUST LIKE SHE WANTS TO BRING TO OTHERS!
Join with us to create a happier ending for Nevaeh's heart-breaking and life-changing story of verbal, physical and cyber attacks from peers. Your peer support, admiration and inspiration WILL make a difference!
EVERY LETTER IS A GIFT.
THE MORE SUPPORT, THE GREATER THE IMPACT.
"CHANGE ONE LIFE AND YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. IT'S IN YOUR HANDS!"
DUE DATE FOR NEVAEH'S "FRIEND MAIL" IS MAY 28th!
Friend Mail must arrive in our NY office for review by the Due Date to be included in the main surprise delivery!
Mail "PHYSICAL" letters to:
Be A Friend Project
P.O. Box 30
Beacon, NY 12508
Email letters, videos, scans & Google Drive links, send to:
-OR-
