“Another Mother’s Son Carried Mine”.

“You’re never wrong for doing the right thing, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy”, is a well-known quote.  It’s difficult to find adults doing the right thing without bickering or comments that are lacking in social refinement.

It’s easy to overlook the good-hearted young people.  Today, Robin Myers bring you a story about a 17-year-old Plymouth High School student who makes it look easy to do the right thing without even taking a moment to ponder.

His name is Leo Sickmiller. 

I spoke with Leo at the High School because I wanted him to know, eye to eye, that he will be getting a lot of attention from a great number of people that he doesn’t know.  I looked him in the eyes and said, “The most important fact in this story is that your Mom is so proud of you”. 

Here’s what Leo’s mom, Jenny Sickmiller, clued me in on:

“Everyone who knows Leo sees kindness in him.  He’s a leader.  He’s worked as a lifeguard for the City of Plymouth for years.  He’s not built like most cross-country runners.  He’s a guy, 6’2” and started out as a football player, then he got into swimming, and now cross country.  He was voted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Plymouth Fire Department’s CTE program. Leo and his sister, Marcy, (who is equally amazing), sold lemonade and then donated the money to the Marshall County Humane Society. Proud is not a strong enough word”.

Mrs. Sickmiller went on to say: “It really does take a village.  From his grandparents, his dad, Jeremy and I, Karen and Peggy Gantz at the Country Corner Daycare, to all the coaches, and teachers who have known him, know that he is going to have a life of service, and have instilled kindness, empathy, and the idea of doing the right thing in him. I promise you, he didn’t think twice about helping.”

Here’s what, Rhonda Yoder Schrock. (the other runner’s mom) said, “I’m so happy that Leo is getting the recognition that he deserves, as a mother, it was horrifying to watch what was happening to my son.  As he was coming down the final stretch, we saw his legs begin to wabble, as though his body was just powering down, and he collapsed. My husband stepped out onto the course and helped him up. He asked him if he wanted him to quit and if he wanted him to walk him in.  From a distance, I watched him speaking in Gabe’s ear.  Then Gabe started up again.  He does not remember telling his dad that, no, he didn’t want to quit and that yes, he could do it.  He tried but then he collapsed again and that’s when Leo came running in from the sidelines.  He carried him almost to the line. Then (perhaps to allow Gabe the dignity of finishing?)  he put him down.  And that’s when I watched stunned, as I watched my son crawl over the line before collapsing again.  Yesterday as we waited in the doctor’s office for the EKG, I said to him. You are a resilient determined guy, and in his monotone matter of fact kind of way, he simply said this, “The only thing on my mind was forward”.

She went on to say, “We are so grateful for the strength of character and sportsmanship of Leo Sickmiller.  To see another mother’s son carry mine when he could not run on his own was a sight I will never forget.  God Bless both of these young men of influence in the world. They are wonderful ambassadors for the sport of cross country, for the community, schools and families”.

I asked some folks who know Leo to describe him in three words:

His mom:  “Kind, funny, loyal”

Brent Corbett, Plymouth Asst. Athletic Director:  “Thoughtful, caring, intelligent”

Josh Troyer, Plymouth High School Athletic Director:  “Caring, Determined, Respectful”

Steve Holm, Plymouth Fire Chief:  “Authentic, Determined, Happy”

Bridget Hite, Plymouth High School Resource Officer, “Trustworthy, Empathetic, Integrity”

Mitch Mawhorter, Superintendent of Plymouth Schools, “Gregarious, nice kid, happy”

What Leo had to say:  “I don’t what all of this attention is about, a lot of people would have done it.” I asked, “What was your motivation to stop your running, and help?”  He simply said, “If you’re going to do something, it’s going to be hard no matter what, so why not be a good person while you’re doing it”.

This is the perfect storm of kindness.  Yes, Leo had numerous folks along his young 17 years of life who showed him, by example, what it means to be a good human being with empathy, kindness, and that simply, “doing the right thing” should be what we all strive for, but, Leo also had to be touched by God to ensure this world, this little town, would be better off having him in it.

This story is one of unimaginable grace, kindness, and thankfulness from this community about two young Indiana teenagers who show us all that there is good in this world, that it’s all going to be ok, and that us adults need to take notice and be kinder to one another.

Leo Sickmiller and his Cross Country Coach:  Curtis Nordmann

Article written and provided by Robin Myers.  Photo by Branden Beachy