By Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register
Des moines, IA-Ankeny eighth grader Carter Luetje had no clue a simple chat with a peer at school would be a life-saving conversation.
The student was being bullied, which Luetje was unaware of at the time, and during the conversation, Luetje said he couldn’t wait to see the student at school the next day. Little did Luetje know that the peer had a plan to die by suicide and the kind words Luetje shared saved the fellow student’s life.
The Ankeny school board recognized Luetje’s act of kindness during a meeting Feb. 3.
FOCUSS, a local nonprofit that empowers youth, granted Luetje the organization’s highest honor: the Community Recognition Award.
The nonprofit got involved when another student notified FOCUSS the student in distress might be in need of its services, founder and CEO Darnell Loatman told the Des Moines Register.
When FOCUSS arrived to help, the student had a plan to die and had the means to carry it out — but the time came and went.
“He pinpointed a certain time and that time had passed,” Loatman said. “So for us, it was asking ‘Why it didn’t happen at that time? What was the reason it didn’t happen?’
“And Carter was the reason it didn’t happen.”
Loatman said Luetje made the other student feel valued, which gave FOCUSS enough time to intervene and provide aid.
“That was enough time to get in there and save this kid,” Loatman said. “But really I don’t say we saved him, I kind of say (Carter) saved him.”
The award given to Luetje recognizes that leaders act even when no one else is around. “Words matter. They can save lives. Thank you, Carter,” it says.
Luetje told Local 5 news after he accepted the award said he was surprised to learn of the student’s plans and that it’s a good reminder to always be kind.
“I am just happy that they are thriving and good,” Luetje told the TV station.
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