A cheerleader was supposed to cheer for the basketball team, but this time, the team cheered for her.
Desiree Andrews is not one to just sit around.
Even with Down syndrome, Desiree has the heart of a fighter
She always spread positive energy to those around her.
With this disposition in life, she found a way to combine her greatest loves: Glee, music, and dancing.
Desiree is part of the cheerleading team of Lincoln Middle School.
But not everyone is happy with how she wants to cheer people up. Unfortunately for Desiree, some people are caught up in making fun of others. These bullies dedicated a portion of their time to heckle her during a finals game.
All she wanted was to cheer for the team, but some of the kids had different plans.
Andrews heard taunts directed to her coming from the gymnasium bleachers.
Andrews tried to ignore them but they never stopped. But even if Desiree was stoic about it, three players think that enough is enough.
Miles Rodriguez, Scooter Terrien, and Chase Vasquez suddenly walked off the court.
“When I heard they were talking about her, it kind of, like, made me mad,” Rodriguez told NBC affiliate TMJ4.
“A couple of us went over there and we’re like, can you guys just stop? That’s not right.”
As for Terrien, he said that how the bullies treated Andrews was not fair. He insisted that all of us are created the same so people should not pick on someone’s “difference”.
Cliff Andrews, Desiree’s father, was stunned by the boys’ actions.
“I was floored,” he told TODAY.com. “This whole experience has been amazing.”
He also shared that the whole incident upset him more than his daughter. Even in the face of bullying, Desiree remains loving, as explained by Cliff.
“She threw her arms around me, gave me a big hug, and told me, ‘Papa, it’s okay. I still love them, even if they don’t like me,’” Cliff said.
“She’s good with it. Desiree loves unconditionally.”
Cliff also said that he thanked the boys.
At the moment when Desiree needed it the most, the three boys didn’t hesitate to make her feel like she’s not alone. Even in the middle of a game, they made it clear that bullying has no place in their community.
Team members now look out for Desiree on the court and off it.
She is always introduced as part of the starting lineup, even getting high gives and fist bumps as players pass her.
The court was also renamed after her. It’s now called “D’s House.”
These boys proved that it doesn’t take much to be an angel for others.
All you need to do is to stand up for what is right and to encourage others to do the same. This brief encounter might just be an episode for some, but for Desiree, it’s a life-changing moment.
“The cheerleaders and everybody there all help keep an eye on her throughout the day,” Cliff said to TODAY.
“The students at Lincoln Middle School have just been phenomenal.”
And indeed they are. And as long as they cheer for each other, they will all grow and build a more accepting and understanding community.
Watch how the three players defended Desiree when the bullies turned on her.
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