16.9k points · submitted by dawglover1011 to r/MadeMeSmile
16.9k
all 774 comments
Proper_Glass8308 2.2k points (4 children)
Damn. That hug at the end got me.
NeuroticLensman 672 points * (edited 2h ago) (2 children)
He was tearing up, too. Great moment for them both.
eyeloveanimalss 104 points (1 child)
I’m still crying lol!!
ShahajanS 19 points
that hug really sealed it, you could feel how much the moment meant to them both
TwistMyNimbus_votary 91 points
You can tell that meant so much to both of them. That’s what makes it special.
henrydaiv 74 points (2 children)
Whos cutting these damn onions
Extreme_Egg7476 28 points
I just put makeup on for the first time in days and I'm so mad but also.. this is beautiful
TheAlexperience 10 points
Honestly... definitely welled up a little bit at that.
NicholsonsEyebrows 1.3k points (5 children)
That's why he was voted for. Guys got good bones
auntieup 135 points (3 children)
This is exactly why he’s the king 👑
whispersluggagebaby 59 points (1 child)
Him: I am no king
The people: This makes you more of a king thooooo
EpsilonSigma 14 points (3 children)
"I'm NOT the messiah!"
steadfastadvance 11 points (1 child)
Only the true Messiah denies his divinity!
Financial_Category19 3 points
Would you please listen!
JudasIsCarHot 8 points (1 child)
He’s not the king. The he gave the crown to is the king. Long live the king!
AntisocialDick 291 points (1 child)
Young man was raised right. Loved him encouraging the crowd to start cheering too. True King energy right there.
uhp787 38 points (1 child)
that made me cry a bit, ngl.
My_Immortl 7 points (1 child)
Same! I'm also highly emotional as is, but this was super sweet.
Final_Wallaby8705 11 points
So impressed when young people act so mature and kind. This guy seems genuinely cool
DontShoot_ImJesus 41 points (3 children)
There have been cases when someone abdicates like this, and then surprise unattended consequences follow. Nicholas II of Russia abdicated, then shortly after he and his family were murdered by communists. Roman Emperor Diocletian abdicated thinking it would lead to more stability but had the opposite effect and lead to series of civil wars in the Roman Empire.
I don't see any indication of anything like that happening here, but that's where the surprise part comes in I suppose.
Legionof1 14 points (1 child)
Sadly his family was eaten by bears shortly after this.
Ill_Tradition_4104 3 points (1 child)
Well, his family shouldn’t have been picking on that bald man then
OldWar1111 11 points (1 child)
Actually, the student body government was kidnapped and the student store ransacked for all candy shortly after this.
nom_cubed 4 points
Shortly after, the kidnappers were also sacked.
Al_Tilly_the_Bum 3.7k points (7 children)
Dude was raised right. Lucky for him, all the girls at the high school know it too
ScaredOfWindow 493 points (4 children)
Reminds me of a guy I went to high school with. Best athlete in the school, tall, handsome, but also a genuinely nice guy who would stick up for everybody.
The best thing about it was that I noticed that other “popular” kids seemed to be influenced by it and, even though it may have been somewhat performative, also started trying to be like that.
That’s what the world needs. Leaders who are both strong and kind, and encourage others to do the same. Instead of punching down, help others climb up.
bark-beetle 74 points (3 children)
Interesting that you mention that. All the "popular" kids at my high school were so nice. When I watched the movie "Mean Girls" it really brought me into reality that not all high schools are like that.
NoConfusion9490 22 points (2 children)
80s movies had me thinking bullies would be straight up trying to murder me.
Shmeves 3 points
I graduated my HS after 2005 (not trying to give exact year), and my experience was dreadful. I had expensive items stolen from me (TI-84 calculators, my shoes), punched almost daily, called nicknames constantly, never really had a best friend or strong friend group, just some rejects like me but less so, and never got to go to any parties or homecoming dances etc, never celebrated my birthday outside a dinner with my immediate family. My senior year was the 'best' year there, kids finally started not treating me like shit but... it was horrible still. To this day I still have major social anxiety, still dont' have a best/close friend, still don't celebrate my birthday, still a loner.
And this was a very affluent school, in one of the richest counties in the country.
C9_Chadz 5 points
My ex wife told me it was the same situation at her HS. Except the kids with developmental issues bullied each other and were kinda dicks to other people...
Scooba_Mark 23 points (1 child)
I think you're right. Even if it is performative to start with, it's habit forming. And I'm sure they found real benefits in being good people once they started. Hopefully it stayed with them in mater life when no one was watching.
evemeatay 14 points
My high school was like this. The athletes also valued at minimum being decent students and wanted to get out of town so they worked hard in all respects and while there was plenty of age appropriate picking at things, outright bullying was never tolerated
jlredding_91 722 points (5 children)
And that’s why he’s really the king. Smart young man.
Just kidding…seems to really be genuine and sincere.
🥹🥹🥹
charlie2135 221 points (1 child)
Nice to see a good heart in this young man. May he go far and realize the best thing in life is to promote those that are passed up.
TwistMyNimbus_votary 74 points (2 children)
That kind of humility and kindness will take further than any crown ever could.
crypticsilenc3 8 points
This is true, and if not, at least you fought for what is right - a champion for the people. A moral leader, a true role model in today's society. We need many more role models like this for our youth.
Al_Tilly_the_Bum 89 points
True masculinity
Awkward_Turnover_983 26 points (1 child)
Nah you're not kidding at all
Still cool though
MntnMedia 31 points
It's like that saying, I forget how it goes. Bit its something along the lines of when being nice is a way of life, not just a way to get a head.
That's this lad for sure.
Everyone will know who the king was, and will respect the new king. For sure! This is called a win win in my books.
BlackwingF91 6 points
Good leaders raise those under them or less fortunate up. They take care of others and help improve everyone
Closed_Aperture 160 points
Class act for sure.
goyacow 4 points
That's some great parenting right there!
SaintGrobian 19 points (4 children)
Absolutely lovely, but also a bit of a video game morality system choice. You are popular and successful, do you want to
A) cede the pretend crown to the nice unpopular runner up who it would mean the world to
Or
B) KEEP IT FOR YOURSELF 👑👑👑
This choice may affect your alignment
I'm glad he chose right, in any case.
Legionof1 3 points
There is basically no way to win... and win. The only way to win is to give up the crown.
NixonsTapeRecorder 3 points (1 child)
Unpopular? From my own personal experience (we're talking back in the 1900s) there is no way that kid is unpopular.
coolcalmaesop 194 points (2 children)
Kindness and empathy looks so damn good on everyone that wears it.
Dude knew he was a king and had the power to make another person feel powerful.
anchorftw 30 points
Facts. I wish more people realized this.
smiscancer 166 points (1 child)
Made me cry a bit when he started crying
FinancePuzzled1 17 points
It really hits hard when you see genuine kindness like that.
Cj8490 161 points (1 child)
There’s still some good in this world Mr Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for
FourEightNineOneOne 35 points
That line always has, and always will, bring a happy tear to my eye
SmurfsAreTasty 320 points (7 children)
His parents should be extremely proud. That kind of empathy and generosity is rare these days.
As a former special needs teacher, that made me cry. No one cared about the special-needs kids at the school I taught at. Things are changing.
NoNipNicCage 48 points * (edited 1h ago) (1 child)
At my high school, we couldn't get a best buddies chapter there so my friend and i started our own called Peer Pals. We helped put on a sensory safe homecoming every year and it was one of my favorite moments in high school
Faintkay 55 points
I’ve told this story before but my high school baseball team made me root hard for them. We had a special needs kid we called the gameboy kid. He walked around listening to the music from his gameboy games. Nice kid but kinda just did his own thing. He started getting bullied by the cholo kids. All 3 levels of the baseball team(60+ guys) confronted the bullies. After that the gameboy kid sat with them for the remainder of his 2 years at school. Was pretty awesome to see that.
jaemak06 25 points (2 children)
We have a student with Down syndrome at my school. Since TK the poor little guy can’t go anywhere with out kids shouting his name, and high fiving or fist bumping. The whole school absolutely adores him. Things are changing!
MegaChip97 4 points (1 child)
TK?
jaemak06 4 points
Transitional Kindergarten. Basically pre school for 4 year olds
pitlovex23 26 points (1 child)
Special needs students are very accepted by their peers nowadays. I work with a cognitively impaired classroom and it’s beautiful seeing the “bad kid” students saying hi and giving fist bumps to my kids in the hall. Unfortunately there’s still some that will make mean comments but the good out way the bad by a landslide.
There’s a lot of concerns about this generation but they’re way more inclusive than any other
station_agent 6 points
Things are changing in a lot of parts of the country. Sadly, the corruption up top is disgusting. Stay the good path. Vote.
laharmon 3 points
I used to drive one of our special needs students to school every day and then make sure he got to his first class. Every time he got in my car he started whistling and pointing at the radio cuz the whistle song by juelz Santana was his favorite. So we listened to that every morning ❤️
WildRabbitz 212 points (3 children)
The kids are alright.
monoinyo 10 points
My school voted a dude with downs into homecoming king as a joke... I think there's more empathy on the ground level these days.
Pinksamuraiiiii 29 points (1 child)
At least at this school
Mission_Yam_1627 7 points (1 child)
Wait till you see the bathrooms
Square_Mulberry_3143 3 points
😷 That definitely won’t make anyone smile.
boges85 58 points (3 children)
I love that this act didn't come across as pitying, patronising or just for show. He treated the other young man with respect.
IAmPandaRock 23 points
That was probably the most impactful for me. He seemed so genuine, respectful and selfless. He didn't seem to just go through the motions or do it to make himself look good. Really nice to see.
OnceMoreAndAgain 4 points * (edited 1h ago) (1 child)
This situation has come up often enough on reddit posts that I remember spending a few minutes to think about it at some point a year or two ago. It's morally grey to me, but I decided it hinges on whether or not the recipient is happy or not with what's happening.
If the recipient is fully aware of the circumstances of what's happening, then I think it can make the recipient sad since they might recognize it as patronizing.
If the recipient is blissfully ignorant of the circumstances, or is aware and doesn't mind, and is happy with the outcome, then great. No one loses.
It seems difficult to predict if the recipient will be fully aware or not to what's going on. I guess you have to know that person pretty well to predict how they'll feel about it.
parkerkudrow 102 points (1 child)
Thanks now I’m crying 🥹😭
SilverMcFly 9 points
Same. Reddit done right. Now I need to go collect myself and get things done. If I reddit anymore today it's probably all downhill from here.
john_san 982 points (6 children)
The next generation is not all lost. There is still hope but we (the adults in the room) must make sure there is a future for them. On Nov 3rd, do the next right thing.
TerponadeTea 48 points (3 children)
I was raised in the "academics are everything" ethos of the 90s, and as much as I value my kids' intelligence, I am so glad that I realized early on in parenting what I truly wanted for them.
Man can I tell you how fast I stopped giving a shit about grades and how much more I give a shit about my kids being good people?
SaltyAir-StarrySkies 5 points
The pandemic impacted today's youth in a very different than it did adults. Their kindness and compassion and emotional intelligence astound me.
They're the children of a revolution and together I think we can fuck shit up.
tribetilidie 5 points
Yep. At parent-teacher conferences, after the teachers go through all the academic stuff, and then seem to want to wrap up the conversation, I’m always like “Woah, woah, woah. Now, we’re gonna talk about your observations on what type of person my kid is”
Bulky-Sugar-6166 3 points
Preach!
gloebe10 122 points (1 child)
I agree one-billion percent. It's time to start move on from these hateful thugs running the show.
Backwardspellcaster 30 points (1 child)
as long as we can teach them empathy and caring for others
evo311 19 points (3 children)
I have a 13 year old and she's more empathetic than any adult I know. I think the future is in good hands.
sincerely-sarcastic 10 points
All three of my boys, ages 12-16, are the first to stop and help someone that needs help. The future is definitely in good hands.
enteringhope 4 points
All the kids I know are great. They make me know the future is in good hands. We’re just too bombarded with the few loud ones on social media and in the news.
SmartWonderWoman 26 points * (edited 1h ago) (1 child)
Do the right thing and vote blue💙🩵💙
Edit: thanks for the award!
MayorDepression 10 points
EVEN if it means voting for the lesser of two evils. Too many people decide to forgoe the democratic process if there is not a candidate they agree with on all/most fronts. Unfortunately, in the two-party country of America, we must vote for the lesser of two evils. Maybe one day that will change (cough cough ranked choice voting) but that's not today.
Fiorina_Fury 82 points
Well done young man. I'm glad this selfless moment was captured for recognition. You're the type of people that make the world worth fighting for.
timetotryagain29 38 points
Two kings
stingertc 38 points
Dude is gonna go places
Stunning_Juice9238 95 points (2 children)
As someone who works with kids I hope people read this - the kids are alright and they are better than most adults. It’s the adults that screw it up for them
Fart_Morning 21 points
Exactly! I work in a high school and the majority of my students are killing it at being human; their parents are often another story all together.
MomoMarieAuthor 5 points
Yes!! Kids are so much kinder now than when I was in school.
I'm a high school teacher, and I regularly see incredibly kind and natural interactions between our special needs students and the other students on campus.
isitatomic 62 points
Give dude's parents an award. Takes A LOT to be that mature as a boy in high school
AveryLakotaValiant 27 points
Doing fine until that hug at the end, gosh, beautiful.
Squumpus 25 points
Bro gets to win, give homie an experience, and escaped the rigamarole of pageantry. might actually be a genius
cwhitt5 28 points (2 children)
People shit on the younger generation a lot but I see hope with these young ones
george_cant_standyah 6 points
Saw a kid last night actively give up his seat on the train to a mom and daughter. Made my day.
MiserableExample388 19 points * (edited 45m ago)
You are a wonderful person, bud! Stay that way as you get older. Even when others try to make you as miserable as they are.
mrdiggame 19 points
True kings know how to please the kingdom. Everyone applauded louder when he gave the crown and title the other kid. True leaders don't need titles.
funnerfu79 17 points
Damnit I am bawling.
Kaleidoscope_chile 15 points
Heart of gold!
playr_4 14 points
Homecoming is always a popularity contest and it looks like that guy earned his respect. Great to see.
bombkitty 14 points
His parents must be so proud. 🥲
Strange-Painting6257 30 points (1 child)
Those girls crying in the background are all me lol
YummyCappucino 12 points
And that’s why they made him the king.
Graceful82 12 points
Absolutely beautiful moment. Beautiful act of humanity... It seems so rare.
oopserv_ 13 points
This the only news I wanna see
Ok-Thing4762 12 points
That’s why he won in the first place.
Turrambers 12 points
A true king
kuplet 11 points
Aww, the girls in the back crying.. 😭 And the hug he gave, that's the best part.
HH_Creations 33 points (6 children)
Its funny cuz media often demonized "popular" people
But usually to be popular, you are likable
In my experience, many popular people are kind, social, and graceful
Now give them power....ehhh that can be a toss up but thats with ANYONE
I have poor social skills, but most "popular" people were actually very kind to me cuz they saw me as genuine
It was people who felt....threatened? That were ugly
Ok_Assignment9937 5 points (1 child)
ACTUUUUALLLLYYY— in my Adam Conover voice— there is a study on popularity that found that kids who were popular liked more people. It wasn’t about how many people liked them.
Toymachinesb7 5 points (1 child)
I was close with the “popular” kids in my high school and we all volunteered for the special ed field days and stuff. It was cool to be kind. People who are always asshole are just not fun to be around.
OwnChemistry5143 4 points (1 child)
I kinda agree, I've met rich posh people, and those people are the biggest dickheads, never really popular though hahahahah
muscularsharpie 3 points (1 child)
I was in wrestling with "the popular guys," and they were so approachable, friendly. It wasn't a class system, it was a culture type of community. If you wanted to sit with us at lunch and chill, heck yeah.
We went to different clubs, sport events, community outreaches. Coaches encouraged those heavily. I'm 37, and those positive experiences still stick with me. Sports can just be about sports, but if have a leadership program that's strong, you can be effective in your community of peers.
Utensil6591 • points (1 child)
Just like with the "nerdy" kids getting power and being pieces of shit; see our Silicon Valley overloads. While I was not popular myself I had friendships with a few of the athletes who were and they were generally great people. I hope wherever they are, they are doing well.
scullyfromtheblock 10 points
What a great young man! So lovely to see.
SirGimli420 10 points
Good dude raised right
FunctionalBoredom 10 points
Allowing someone else to share in and create their own core memory is truly what it is all about. That young man will go on to do great things with that attitude.
t3chm4m4 10 points
The kids are alright
ChavoDemierda 20 points
What a good kid. If I was his dad and saw this, I'd be a sobbing mess and proud as any dad could be.
Ponder_wisely 9 points
Young man who came second showed class by shaking hands. Young man who came first showed class by handing the award over.
Low-Donut-1978 8 points
I cried.
_jA- 10 points
Young man raised w respect 🙏🏽👑❤️
antisocial_empath 9 points (1 child)
Now this is how a true king acts. Everyone take note. I’m about to be a parent of three boys and I call this “masculinity 2.0.” It’s kingly energy in all situations and facets of life. These men will help heal the world as well as the culture war between the sexes.
rachsteef 17 points (4 children)
amazing guy - that much is clear… now, does that highschooler have a face tattoo?? damn
in the end it could just be makeup (and none of us will know which of those this is) so there’s actually no use me having commented this. Have a great day!
Remarkable_Command91 17 points
Well it appears to be a pep rally… could it be face paint by chance?
Rdbjiy53wsvjo7 7 points
Might be a temporary tattoo, our high school cheerleaders wear them all the time at games. My daughters are in competitive gymnastics and they have started to become popular for state meets.
And for some reason, it's always on their face.
Plane-Use-4294 9 points (1 child)
Might be a pimple star cover up thing
beviebooboo 8 points
First class dude right there.
Billy-Jack74 7 points
He’s a real leader and you can see it. He’s not performative, dude is solid as a rock.
brianishere2 13 points
Little moments make big people.
dernert 12 points
Ninja onions.
onefornought 12 points (1 child)
He made a mediocre experience into a great one.
Lizbeth2016 6 points
So sweet 🥲
leebaweeba 6 points
That kid is alright. Good on him.
RoundCause7714 6 points
Good good good.
SanchaPansa 6 points
There’s hope for the future, well done King 👑
seeyatellite 6 points
Hell yeah, dude. Those cheers and smiles, too. I'm proud of the heart in both that guy and the rest of those students.
Sweaty_Grocery785 6 points
Someone raised him right.
AdUnited7795 7 points
THis dude is BADASS!!!!!!!!!!!!
ECE12 7 points
That’s what masculinity looks like
Whiskey22Whiskey 5 points
What a fucking good dude 🥹
Outworkyesterday10 10 points
Jokes on you. I wanted to cry this morning.
madnessinthemidwest 4 points
Being kind is free!
ItsaMeSandy 6 points
That day, that highschool crowned two kings.
wds1 5 points
A class act!
AquariusRain 4 points
The kids are alright 🥹
Numerous_Tackle_9972 5 points
Best thing I've seen today.
jazziegurl08 4 points (1 child)
We need more kids like him. I got emotional
billieboop 5 points
The right person was chosen, proud of him, but also everyone else at that school who voted and cheered on.
This is the future we all want for them, we all need to step up and protect them and pave a better way for them to thrive
djr0549 10 points
Good man
Fabulous_Log844 8 points (1 child)
Shut up, I'm not crying… YOU'RE crying… Shut up!
CloudPositive9486 4 points
Beautiful
Samason560 3 points
THAT'S why he was voted homecoming king in the first place, cause he had this kind of heart.
Prize-Advance-4706 4 points
He was raised to be kind. Bless him and his parents.
Mysterious-Draw2510 4 points
Parents doing an outstanding job with that young man. Thank god the world still has man like him growing up in it.
Canelosaurio 5 points
Now, that is a good man.
FriendlyTomorrow4192 4 points
Oh when the little one started crying and he hugged the other student....awe...what a good man that young boy is...
Better-Flow8586 3 points
Straight. Thats a man above men.
CarpenterAndSuch 4 points
I’m hungover as fuck and this made me cry. Pair of legends, these two lads.
bingbangboomxx 5 points
Real king shit.
BolOfSpaghettios 5 points * (edited 1h ago)
Our future gens are getting a lot of shit. Is it deserved? No. Why? If we had the tech available when we were kids as they have now, we'd come out fucked up. We also have to keep in mind that all this is learned behavior. If you're an adult, and you have younger family members around you, make sure you're doing things that emotionally support them.
I'm 44, and it took me a while to figure out I'm fucked up and carry a lot of trauma. I thought I was a good person, but the instances when I was a shit person was a learned behavior. I'm finally going to therapy and talking to someone who will not judge me as weak, or not scowl at me for crying.
We all need a true judgement free zone. Lift up others and break cycles.
Sa7aSa7a 4 points
A true king knows when it's time to abducate the throne.
Forward-Sky1437 4 points
Good humans are still out there. Thank god.
MrWeeniePeenie 4 points
The kids are aright
Blacklight099 4 points
Getting crowned king and proving to the entire room why you were the right choice in the space of 2 minutes. What a champ.
soelsome 17 points (3 children)
Face tats that young is wild though. Good kid though
shhnobodyknows 10 points
I think it's pep rally stickers ot temporary tattoos
No_Vehicle_7179 7 points (1 child)
I think those are moles or birth marks.
FewCrazy1918 9 points
Still a small hope for America
Footishman 6 points
The crown fit both
burntso 3 points
That’s so sweet he will remember that forever
mickeydstrashtv 3 points
That’s what’s up🩵
FutureBoat7935 3 points
Great kid
Fast_Nefariousness66 3 points
Simply & perfectly executed. No show, no fuss, just love 💕
spooky_ed 3 points
The little hug 😭
SmartWonderWoman 3 points
Made me cry 😢
Herley11 3 points
His parents did a fine job raising this young man! I love this so much!
MeganK80 3 points
2 Kings right here 💕
hashbrr 3 points
What a fantastic young man.
Adelvice_ 3 points
What a good heart, that young man is going places.
Accomplished-Tax-211 3 points
This is awesome. Where were these kind kids when I was in school? I’m a different person now but I’m ashamed to say this young man could have taught me and my 1980s friends a lesson on how to treat others. Well done, kid. Well done.
Civil_Lengthiness971 3 points
The kids are alright.
aesoth 3 points
Realizing that something would mean the world to someone else and handing it over is a sign maturity and love. Both are good kids and happy they had this experience.
beattysgirl 3 points
Tbh this is why the first guy was voted king in my mind. Sure it’s usually a popular and attractive person but this kid clearly has a heart of gold
Sad_Tangerine_3722 3 points
Who is this dude?
I give him so much damn respect, we need to make him famous for that love to be shown, so it’s shown more. Solid ass dude, much respect.
Chillicothe1 3 points
His parents raised him right!
elijahlalonde 3 points
the fact we even have prom kings or queens is some of the weirdest shit schools has ever done. “here’s the most popular or beautiful couple here!let’s literally crown them!” shit is weird, my school didn’t participate in that shit, only makes people feel bad. at this point, i’ve seen so many videos of this exact thing happening, seems like it’s just there to crown down syndrome kids specifically, & only the man every single time lol
JustCurious791 3 points
This is exactly what’s missing in Washington and mainstream society: empathy, humility and love.
TheConsequenceFairy 3 points
Good boy, good morals, good display of leadership/understanding amonst his peers. Parents are raising him right.
MERCIFUL_UND3AD 3 points
These are the traits of someone who does not peak in high school.
PadreSJ 3 points
Nobody will remember who the homecoming king and queen were in 30 years.
Everybody will remember the classmate who ACTED like a King.
calitrolla 3 points
I want to send his parents a thank you note.
Embarrassed-Weird173 7 points (1 child)
Smart dude. He knows that stuff is pointless and he got some "awwww" points out of it. I respect that.
ZestycloseSquirrel55 8 points (2 children)
This is very sweet, but I hope I'm misinterpreting the girl laughing behind them.
yippie_kayakk 29 points (1 child)
I’m like 99% sure they are laughing at each other because they’re crying.
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