On August 23, around 9 p.m., a Timpview student, who has requested anonymity, was assisted by a stranger after a concerning encounter during the football game.

The night was warm, filled with excitement as Timpview played against Lone Peak. Cheers echoed beyond the parking lot as students, their faces streaked with blue paint, eagerly awaited the next touchdown. However, not everyone was caught up in the excitement.

“I was leaving the football game early because I was upset with one of my friends, and I was feeling hot and dizzy on top of that, so I wasn’t in a really good mood,” said the 14-year-old sophomore. She had called her mom minutes earlier to pick her up near the parking lot. While walking past the seminary building, a man driving down Quail Valley Drive stopped near her. She recalls that the man was in a red truck, though her memory of the event is somewhat hazy.

The man rolled down his window and began talking to the girl. He asked if she was leaving the football game. She replied that she was but mentioned that the game was still ongoing, unsure if he was interested in attending. Suspicious of his intent, she quickly added that her mom was on her way to pick her up.

“I wanted him to know that he could still go to the game. I also wanted him to know that I had someone coming for me and that people would notice if I went missing,” she said. Seizing the moment to end the conversation, she walked away, trying to distance herself from the man. She assumed he would park and head to the game, but instead, he began reversing toward her.

When his attention was diverted, she quickly ducked behind a parked car. The man looked around for a moment, trying to locate her, but soon made a U-turn and drove away. At that moment, an older student across the street called out to her, asking if she was alright.

Although she insisted she was fine, the boy crossed the street to check on her. In tears, she explained that the man had been following her, and the boy offered to wait with her until her parents arrived. When her mom pulled up, she thanked the boy for his kindness. He responded by saying that he just wanted to ensure she was safe.

“I just want him to know that I really appreciate him waiting with me because, looking back, I was really scared, and he took the time to make sure I was safe. It made me happy to think that someone was just being kind to me.”

To all those selfless people we interact with every day, thank you for what you do. Your small and simple acts mean more than you will ever know.