Student Rights

In highschool, life feels so unfair. Everyone, peers, faculty, and friends can be the absolute worst. However, one would not believe that this individual feeling could be directly caused by the outside source of one's own teacher. There are many stories of teachers showing cruelty towards their students, treating them unequally, but one would not believe the extremities of these situations until they are in one themselves. Although teachers are supposed to be caretakers, some do not understand how to properly be a caretaker. They refuse to show empathy and compassion for the students they have the responsibility to assist in growing. Teachers like this are a glaring issue in the school system, which is actively denying students’ rights by employing these teachers and allowing them to be ignorant of their students.

One of the most disheartening and striking instances of a teacher’s refusal to care for a student and follow their rights occurred in Brawley, California. On June 29th, 2024, a young girl named Sophie was late for her summer physical education program at Brawley Union High School, located in Brawley, California. Due to her tardiness, her Teacher, Mr. Young, forced her to run laps in the gymnasium, which was extremely hot. Unable to withstand the heat and running any longer, Sophie requested of her teacher to allow her to take a break, as she was not feeling well. Taking no concern for Sophie feeling unwell running in a hot gym, Mr. Young proceeded to make her continue running. It is important to note that summers in Brawley, California can reach temperatures of over 100 degrees fahrenheit, so Sophie’s need to rest is not unreasonable. Soon after being denied a break, Sophie collapsed and began experiencing seizures.

According to Sign.Moveon, “Mr. Young did not hurry to help her, he actually yelled at her to get up and keep running they another student had went to help her, after the student yelled for Mr. Young[,] he went and grabbed Sophie by the arm to help her up but she couldn’t get up so he stood there hold[ing] her arm in the air like she was an animal or something”, describing Mr. Young’s apparent lack of concern for Sophie. It wasn't until a security guard entered the gym that Mr. Young began acting concerned for Sophie. She was rushed to Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley, California by concerned medical professionals. There, she sadly passed away after experiencing continuous seizures which the Imperial County Deputy Coroner Rogelio Tafoya told the Calexico Chronicle that, “‘As of this point it is too early to determine a cause of death. From our investigation, it was determined that there was no known history of drug use or underlying medical conditions,’” also expressing, “‘Hyperthermia may have played a role, but we will know more once the autopsy is conducted,’”. Hyperthermia can be caused by heat stroke as it is an elevation in body temperature.

Sophie’s unjust and unfortunate death was due to the negligence of her teacher. Mr. Young actively denied Sophie’s student rights and human rights relating to fair treatment. The only concern for Sophie displayed in this terrible situation was from her peers, not the person who was supposed to be her caretaker. Students have the right to care for their own health and well-being without the input of outside, ignorant sources who do not understand their situation. Sophie’s circumstance shows the need for justice and the upholding of students rights through the promotion and reconstruction of the school system with good teachers. Sign.Moveon has begun a petition to achieve justice for Sophie.

Written by Access Advocate Ambassador Caitlyn