You may not remember me but I attended school with you in elementary, middle, and high school. We didn't hang out much but I have never forgotten you and here is the reason why:
I started Pueblo Elementary in the 4th grade and I found it very difficult to fit in. There was a definite crowd of "cool girls" and it was hard to join them so late in the game. In my mind you were the coolest of those cool girls. You were so beautiful and so popular. You were, without a doubt, the "it" girl of Pueblo Elementary (I'm getting to my point, I promise!). Every school that has an "IN CROWD" also has an "OUT CROWD". Those poor kids that are ruthlessly picked apart just for being different. The 2 boys at the very bottom of the Pueblo totem pole were brothers. I only remember the name of the oldest boy, Logan, and I can't remember their last name. What I do remember is the daily torture those poor boys endured. They were teased, taunted, and picked apart every single day. Ridiculed for wearing clothes that weren't cool, made fun of for their hair, hygiene, the way they spoke, sat, walked... you name it, they were picked on for it.
I sat by and watched this happen every single day for months. I'm ashamed to say, that I never had the courage to stand up for those boys. I sat silently and watched and out of my own insecurities, I even agreed with some of the cruel comments from time to time.
One day as the 2 boys were waiting for the school bus to take them home from school, they once again found themselves under fire. I once again sat by silently. But you, Charlotte Baxter, the prettiest and the most popular girl in school made a stand. You stood up for Logan and his little brother. You told those bullies to stop. You told them how cool you thought the 2 boys were and how stupid they all were for picking on them. Everyone was stunned into silence.
Through the years I have thought about that moment in time over and over again. When I became a mom, I decided that one of the things I wanted to instill into my own children was the confidence of a little girl named Charlotte. A little girl who wasn't afraid to stand up for the underdog. Who put herself at great social risk, to do the right thing. I really wished that I had the courage to do the same.
As I browsed through some of the high school reunion photos, I saw your picture and was once again reminded.
Sometimes we can go through life, inspiring others, and not even know it. Over these past few days, I've felt like you needed to know what a difference you have made. Not only to me, and to my children, but to Logan and his little brother. I have prayed for those boys over the years. I have no idea what ever became of them, but I pray their lives are good and I pray yours is too.
May God bless you every single day,
Renee "Hufford" Matchett
*Note: The names have been changed in the above letter in order to protect the privacy of those mentioned.
