Guiding Light: Small Town Girl Making a Big Impact

By Staff Writer, Whitney Butler

In light of the recent events, we at Ridgeview News think it’s time for those in our community to be recognized for their acts of heroism and selflessness in times of need. And we have an amazing person to be our first story, in what we hope will be a monthly occurrence. 

As most of you are aware, yesterday evening an extra-curricular activities school bus overturned shortly after leaving Calhoun Middle High School. And while we don’t want to diminish the event as it was no doubt traumatic and extremely upsetting given the circumstances behind the crash, something, or someone rather, amazing was overlooked.

While patients were being treated on scene and loaded into arriving ambulances one injured student chose to put the needs of fellow passengers above herself and began to tend to their injuries. 

Ridgeview News spent the evening trying to obtain information and some backstory on what transpired. We are honored to congratulate Lauren Lovejoy, and name her as our first Guiding Light. Lovejoy is a junior at Calhoun Middle High School, active in athletics as well as being an honor student among many other activities. She was aboard the bus when it overturned, and while we are sure she was scared and shaken up, she leapt into action, literally giving fellow passengers the clothes off her back to aide in tending to their injuries. She was being referred to as an angel by first responders and refused her own treatment until she was sure everyone else had been tended to. 

And while we are sure these types of things happen more often than we see, maybe its time we stop sharing all the bad and start shining a light on the amazing people like Lauren. People who don’t do things for the glory of themselves but simply because it’s the right thing to do. 

So please join us in recognizing Miss Lauren Lovejoy, Ridgeview News’ first Guiding Light. Thank you for being an example of selflessness, compassion and genuine kindness in a time of need. 

We are all aware of someone within our community that always gives of themselves freely or sacrifices so much to help those in need. If you know of someone who deserves to be recognized please let us know!