PAULLINA, IA -
A Primghar boy takes his own life and his family says it happened because he was bullied.
Kenneth Weishuhn, a 14 year old student at South O'Brien High School, recently came out and told people he was gay, and now his death is being mourned not just in Iowa but across the country.
Officials at Kenneth's school say the fight against bullying is a never ending battle.
"Anytime a situation like this happens, it's a tragedy," said Dan Moore, Superintendent of South O'Brien Schools in Paullina, Iowa.
Kenneth's parents say bullying is what led him to ultimately take his own life.
"We have a battle in schools, all schools are working to try to combat harassment, bullying across the state of Iowa, across the nation," says Moore.
Moore says the South O'Brien school has been fighting that battle, this school year alone students have had two assemblies about bullying.
Moore says fighting bullying in high school halls is hard enough, but when that bullying follows students home on sites like Facebook, it's nearly impossible to stop.
"Bad mouthing somebody, running somebody down, is not acceptable and it needs to be made clear it's not acceptable in our society no matter where it occurs," said Moore.
Now that cyberspace has turned from bullying to kind words for Kenneth.
There's even a group dedicated to his memory with people from around the country sending their thoughts and prayers.
And as for the school, the Superintendent says there's nothing left to do but learn and let students know: there are other options.
"The bullying needs to stop, can we address it on the cyber side of things, and what are options for kids when they get frustrated? Get somebody to talk to, to help you out," said Moore.
With everyone in Paullina and Primghar hoping to never see another tragedy like this again.
Right now the school has extra counselors on hand to help students deal with Kenneth's death.
They'll be available at least through his funeral on Friday.
