PAULLINA, IA -
Students laced up their walking shoes in support of friend and classmate Kenneth Weishuhn.
The 14-year-old freshman at South O'Brien High School committed suicide after he was bullied for being gay.
Wednesday in Paullina, Iowa a few students took some time out of class to remember Kenneth.
It was as simple as going for a walk, and that's how Kenneth Weishuhn's friends honored his memory.
"Kenneth was my best friend and he always told me that he wanted to be famous, so I'm trying to make his story become famous because this needs to be known," said Lennie Johnson, Kenneth's best friend, as she walked around the South O'Brien High School Wednesday.
Kenneth took his own life last weekend, losing his battle against the bullies who teased him because he was gay.
Now his story is inspiring and carrying homemade signs. Folks from miles away are trying to end the bullying that ended Kenneth's life.
"It broke our hearts first of all, and to know that it happened so close to where we live," said Dolly Lohr from Hartley, Iowa.
"We just don't want it to keep going and other children dying because they're being bullied, bullying shouldn't happen at all," said Sheila Tran from Hartley, Iowa.
That's why there's a mission behind this walk.
Showing everyone that what happened to Kenneth doesn't have to happen at all.
"We all do it and we all need to stop doing it, because kids take it home, they take it personal, and it's our job to support them and make it better," said Mindy Johnson, a concerned mother who was walking around South O'Brien School Wednesday.
Even though Kenneth can't walk with them anymore his friends aren't pointing fingers.
"I still don't think the people that bullied Kenneth should be bullied back, because we need to stop bullying how it is," said Lennie.
Just trying to make sure no other young lives are cut short.
South O'Brien's Superintendent says students will be excused for Kenneth's funeral Thursday.
From here on out it's just an ongoing fight to identify and stop cyber bullying.
