Archive for Friday, October 3, 2008
Tait: Priceless gesture inspiring
October 3, 2008
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The votes have not been counted, the crowns not yet placed on heads.
Yet Free State High senior Taylor Stuart already has proved that he is worthy of a title like "king."
Tonight is Homecoming at FSHS, a time when students and faculty, past and present, gather to celebrate what being a Firebird is all about.
Stuart will do that, too. In the process, he'll do his part to define what being a good friend is all about, as well.
As a starting tight end and linebacker on the Free State football team, as well as one of the candidates for Homecoming King, tonight figures to be a night Stuart won't soon forget.
But it's small potatoes compared to the joy Stuart's thoughtfulness has created for a fellow FSHS student and his family.
Free State senior Brett Stanclift was born with cerebral palsy. He and Stuart became friends when they met in fourth grade at Deerfield Elementary.
Tonight, while Stuart's busy in the locker room listening to his coach, his buddy Brett will stand in for him as the Homecoming Court is introduced.
"Friday night's for football, so I'm not really worried about the coronation and all that," Stuart said. "But not being able to see Brett out on the field in his tux is kind of hard for me. I'll miss that."
Brett's case of cerebral palsy impairs his speech, but not his comprehension. He uses a walker because the disability limits his muscle coordination. It has no effect on his zest for life, his upbeat attitude, his ability to fit in.
Through the love and compassion of his family, as well as a few close friends, Brett has lived as normal a life as possible. He goes to sporting events, plays Nintendo Wii - bowling and golf are his favorites - and hangs out with friends nonstop.
That will continue tonight, when Brett will be an important part of Homecoming, complete with a sharp tuxedo, tons of snapshots and a few nerves, which stem from another nice surprise. FSHS senior Maggie Hull asked Brett to escort her during the ceremony.
"He kind of has a little crush on Mag," said Brett's mom, Pam Pine, Hull's softball coach. "He's pretty excited about that part, too."
Through the years, Stuart has included Brett in all of his games and attended all of Brett's birthday parties.
"Brett's a great kid," Stuart said. "His disability doesn't have anything to do with who he is. I base people on their personalities, and he's a great friend."
In Stuart, Brett has a great friend, too.
"I think it's one of the greatest things I've ever seen a high school kid do," Free State football coach Bob Lisher said. "That's the kind of kid (Stuart) is. He's a great young man, and I can't say that with enough emphasis."
Stuart doesn't see what all the fuss is about. The way he sees it, this is just the kind of thing friends do for friends. No one even knows that he nominated his neighbor, another Free State student living with cerebral palsy, for Homecoming Queen.
"I just thought it was pretty important to have someone special, who's a good friend of mine, stand in for me," he said. "The word's spreading pretty fast, but it's not one of those things that people should be thanking me for."
Sorry, Stuey.
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3 October 2008
at 7:35 a.m.
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countrygirl (Anonymous) says…
Taylor's a neat kid. His parents should be very proud of him.
3 October 2008
at 7:46 a.m.
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countrygirl (Anonymous) says…
Just trying to bump this up so people will see it—
3 October 2008
at 8:08 a.m.
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Phogfan86 (Anonymous) says…
This young man gets it. Great story about a great kid.
3 October 2008
at 8:36 a.m.
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rtwngr (Anonymous) says…
Bravo! What a terrific example for us all.
3 October 2008
at 11:23 a.m.
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stevieags (Anonymous) says…
What a terrific young man! His parents should proud. My boss is Brett's step-father. Brett is also a wonderful young gentleman who takes makes the best of what he has. And what he has is an outstanding family that supports him.
3 October 2008
at 11:43 a.m.
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tvc (Anonymous) says…
I'm sorry, but I find this article condescending.
3 October 2008
at 12:16 p.m.
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fireupchips (Anonymous) says…
Stuey is an amazing person and a tribute to his parents — good luck tonight and thanks for being a great role model our kids (and all kids in Lawrence).
3 October 2008
at 12:21 p.m.
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lionbacker (Anonymous) says…
What a great kid, sounds like he has nothing but great things in his future, unlike TVC, you are a idiot.
3 October 2008
at 4:48 p.m.
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hometownhawk (Anonymous) says…
Just happened to take a quick scan, and over half of lionbacker's comments on ljworld message boards involve literally calling someone an “idiot,” and the other half are just belligerent in other ways. Have you never seen Bambi?
3 October 2008
at 5:44 p.m.
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kcandelaria (Anonymous) says…
I wanted to tell Stuart that his story has touched a lot of people's hearts here in Utah too. Brett is my cousin & we heard about this heart warming story from my Uncle Bob. This story reminds me of the times we would come to Lawrence to visit and I would watch the unconditional love that Brett's sister Jamie would show him. It warmed my soul then as it does reading this story. May we all learn from their examples. Thanks again! Kelley, West Jordan UTAH
6 October 2008
at 1:09 p.m.
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rickvideo (Anonymous) says…
Great story, Tait! Great kids—but I appreciate you covering this. Too cool.
7 October 2008
at 7:55 p.m.
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shocker15 (Anonymous) says…
I'm Brett's sister and just wanted to thank Matt Tait for this wonderful story. This was a very special experience for Brett and something that we will never forget. Taylor has been a wonderful friend and classmate to Brett from day one. This is just one example of the many things Taylor has done to put a smile on Brett's face. Stuey is an amazing kid with an awesome family and it's so refreshing to see a young man with such a caring, generous, and very humble character. Thanks for being you Taylor!