Nine-year-old Mahkenzee Kennedy was bulled and called "fat" starting in kindergarten. Even years later, she still cries thinking about it. The other children didn't know about her hypothyroidism that caused her fatigue and weight gain. They only knew she was larger than most kindergarteners and made fun of her.
"She started hating school. Nobody would play with her. Up until a few months ago, she wouldn't even eat lunch, even though I would make it because she didn't want to eat alone. She's afraid to join a group in fear of rejection. It's hard for her," her mom Teena Kennedy told KFOR in an interview.
She explained that it's tougher when other children at six or seven came to her saying "God made a mistake" and her daughter shouldn't even be alive. "That's hard to hear as a mom. No child should ever feel that way. It really hurt me to know people allow their kids to talk like that," she said.
But in Mrs. Coles 4th grade class in Bixby, Oklahoma, the values of "class, kindness, grace and love" are part of the curriculum. That's why Kennedy decided to do something.
The younger Kennedy created "Buddy Benches" around her school. The idea is that if someone needs a friend, they sit on the bench that tells other students they need someone to talk to.
Each bench cost about $600 each, so Kennedy, her friends and family launched several fundraisers to fund the project.
"We did a car wash. And some kids went there and washed cars. And we did a bake sale," the girl explained.
"It's quite a remarkable thing Mahkenzee has been able to do at her school. It's a topic that's very front and center right now. So, on behalf of First Fidelity Bank, I'd like to give $400 to Mahkenzee to pay it forward," First Fidelity Bank representative Michelle Jensen said. Her bank awarded the girl with the Pay It 4Ward award, surprised her at school and donated $400 to the cause.
Kennedy is also trying to fundraise for an anti-bulling assembly for her school.
"She said, 'Mom, I have to stand up for me and the others who get bullied and I have to stand up for them.' She's been a voice. A lot of people know about it now," her mother said.
Watch a full report from KFOR on this remarkable leader below:
