120 Bikers Showed Up At A Teen’s Door After She Refused To Go To Her Prom
Prom night is arguably one of the biggest nights in a teen girl's life.
For one teenage girl, Shannon Purcifer, it was a night she will never forget, thanks to the 120 Bikers who showed up at her door.
Hospital Gowns Instead Of Prom Dresses For Shannon
Shannon Purcifer should have been nervous and excited like other 16-year-old girls looking forward to their prom.
Instead of spending time shopping for a dress or getting her nails and hair done, Purcifer had to deal with bullies and hospitals.
Purcifer Fought Illness And Bullies
In and out of hospitals with various ailments like celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis understandably would have soured dreams of a prom.
But it was dealing with constant bullying at school that curbed her enthusiasm.
Bullying Made Things Worse
For years Shannon dealt with being picked on and harassed by fellow students and classmates.
Free of sympathy from bullies, she endured mistreatment, which made her illnesses that much worse.
Shannon Had To Wear Her Illnesses Like A Badge
Ulcerative Colitis is an incurable bowel disease. The symptoms do not improve and worsen with time.
Shannon and her family decided to accept that this would stay with her for the rest of her life.
Fight For Survival In And Out Of The Hospital
It would be easy for anyone facing Shannon's plight with her various illnesses and the harassment at school to shut down.
That was not an option for her, thanks to the love and support of her family, friends, and boyfriend, who helped her stay positive.
Going To Prom Was Part Of The Plan Initially
Skipping the prom was not always Shannon's plan. She and her mother spent months shopping for a dress.
The final pick was a floor-length dress with lace detailing. The final bill was $600.
A Change Of Heart?
Shannon became less social and, eventually, withdrawn from her family and friends due to her troubles.
Just when her family was preparing to send her off to her prom, she came to them with a change of heart.
Prom Excitement Turned Into Tears Overnight
While her family was waiting anxiously for her to model her dress on prom night, she presented a much different image to them.
With fresh tears showering down her face, Shannon told her Mom she was not going to prom anymore.
"...the bullying got worse and worse."
Shannon said, "I didn't really want to go and feel nervous for the entire night."
She admitted she would not be able to handle being tormented on what potentially would be the best night of her life.
Friends Thought Shannon Deserved A Prom
As any good friend would, Shannon's friend Kerri Louise Kimber was tired of seeing the sadness and pain in her eyes.
Kimber started a GoFundMe page to raise funds and throw a prom for Shannon.
Go Fund Shannon
Kimber made sure invites went only to those who were close to Shannon. One hundred guests attended the makeshift prom.
Within days of starting the GoFundMe page, it ballooned from the target goal of $195 to a grand total of $650.
Special Delivery On Prom Night
Friends and family Shannon were also allowed to attend her unique prom, but it was the uninvited guests that caught her attention.
After she had spent the day getting her hair and nails done, Shannon was met by 120 bikers waiting to escort her to the party.
Celebrity Overnight
After seeing her story, which went viral, the motorcycle crew wanted very much to escort her to her prom.
Her mother proclaimed, "There's no better way to stand up to the bullies than to go out and live life to the fullest."
Her Prom Was Better Than She Expected
Shannon was overwhelmed by the gestures made by her friends and family, along with the bikers who randomly showed up to support and escort her.
The prom was "better than I could ever have dreamed.", she declared.
You Are Not Alone
High school is when teens learn to become adults and prepare for college.
Unfortunately for Shannon and many others, bullying dominated their time in school. Once her story came out and went viral, others began to surface.
Bullying Was Like An Unstoppable Force
No parent wants to see their child suffering. Parents like Shannon's are consumed with a feeling of helplessness.
Her mother went to the school for help, but according to her, "...I tried so hard to make it stop, but the school didn't help us."
Feeling Powerless
One of the first places a parent expects to get help for their child's issues at school is the institution itself.
Often parents feel powerless and express similar feelings to Shannon's Mom, who said, "There wasn't anything I could do but listen to her."
Others Stand With Shannon's Fight Against Bullying
Typically, high school is when the biggest issue for students is getting to classes or lunchtime.
Sadly, bullying in-person and online has increased substaintially, making itself part of the experience too.
Jody Was A Normal Teenage Boy
Jody tried to live the same way the other kids in his Texas high school did.
He loved collecting comic books, playing video games, and cheering on his favorite soccer team.
Jody Had A Major Crush
At seventeen, Jody had a crush on a girl like many of the boys his age in school.
From the fourth grade, he was enamored with just the mere sight of Leila, the object of his desire.
You Miss 100% Of The Shots You Do Not Take
Leila and Jody had never met or talked before high school. Jody was typically confident but instantly would clam up when Leila was around.
One day he knew he would have to take a chance and talk to her.
Thinking Of A Master Plan
With the prom about a month away, Jody's moment of truth had arrived.
He thought now was a perfect time but was afraid of rejection. Jody needed to come up with a plan.
Hi, my name is...
What Jody came up with for a plan seemed simple at first glance.
Despite never talking to her before, he intended to do whatever he could to go out of his way and be nice to Leila.
Jody's Moment Of Truth
After working up the nerve to finally approach Leila, Jody decided to wait for her classes to be over and then make his move.
He followed her in the hallway to her locker and approached with a "hi" as his introduction to her.
Jody Always Met Leila Bearing Gifts
Instead of a box of chocolates, a stuffed animal, or a bouquet of roses, Jody offered Leila an apple and a chocolate bar.
Jody was unsure how his gesture would be received and was pleasantly surprised by her response.
Instant Connection
Leila greeted Jodi's good deed with a big smile and a thank you.
She confessed to him how hungry she was and expressed her appreciation that he took the time and effort to think of her.
Roses Are Red
This was beyond great news for Jody. In his mind, this was the beginning of his fantasy of one day being with Leila.
Since his gifts were so positively received, Jody began bringing treats for Leila daily.
Let's Go To The Movies
Seemingly out of nowhere, a friendship between Jody and Leila blossomed.
The friendship progressed quickly from casual conversations passing each other in the halls to going to the movies together after school.
Just A Friend?
Connecting with someone he has liked from childhood to spending time outside of classes was more than Jody imagined.
Still, he sensed Leila was not interested in him beyond being friends.
So You're Saying There's A Chance
If there was one thing Jody could trust, it was how comfortable he was saying almost anything to Leila.
Jody waited for her at lunch break and caught her before she entered the cafeteria.
It Was Now Or Never For Jody
Jody thought he would try and contain his nerves and excitement by easing into the big question with some witty chit-chat.
Then he did it. Jody asked Leila to the upcoming prom, but her reaction was more of a nightmare than a dream.
With Who? You? Lol
Leila had a look of utter disgust at the question being asked by Jody.
She asked sarcastically if he was serious about it and mocked him openly so the entire cafeteria could hear the conversation.
"Wait, You're Serious, Aren't You?"
Leila's reply reeked with mockery and sparked a raucous round of laughs from everyone in the cafeteria.
Boldy, she asked him, "Have you met you? Am I not doing you enough favors by being your friend?"
Joy And Pain, Sunshine and Rain
Within seconds, Jody's joy turned to agony and humiliation. As she bombarded him with insults, she enlisted the help of her friends.
Jody hoped that not going to the prom would stop the harassment.
Now, Jody Was Being Laughed At, Not With
Whatever friends Jody had left that he could trust also turned on him eventually.
They started ignoring him as if he no longer existed to avoid being chastised by others in the school.
For Jody, One Call Changed It All
Jody's misfortune would change after planning to play video games while prom was going on.
Jody received a call from a girl asking for his address, and he gave it up reluctantly to her.
Jody Was Not Falling For More Pranks
Uncertain of what nonsense his schoolmates had in store for him next, Jody resumed playing video games.
Disturbed after an hour of playing by car horns blasting, he went to see what the commotion was about.
"...We Appreciate You!"
Outside his house were a stretch limousine and the entire school cheerleading team.
They asked Jody to be all of their prom dates. Sensing his skepticism, the head cheerleader cleared the air.
Be ALL Of Our Dates
In front of everyone, she said, "We are here to show you that we appreciate you."
She pleaded with him to accept, and he did. Jody got dressed and ready to go in half an hour.
Jody And Shannon Proved Good People Still Exist
In a suit that properly fit, Jody joined the cheerleaders in the limo and went to the prom.
He knew although the prom proposal could not erase the pain of the past, Jody's faith that there were still good people around was restored.
