Bullying and the death of Iowa teen Kenneth Weishuhn
Kenneth James Weishuhn Jr. of Primghar, Ia., was a 14-year-old freshman at South O'Brien Community School in nearby Paullina. About a month ago he came out as a gay teen to his family and local community. By all accounts he then was relentlessly bullied by some of his fellow male students both at school and online. In the wee hours of Sunday, April 15, Weishuhn's family discovered that the boy had committed suicide. I sat down with Weishuhn's older sister, Kayla, a sophomore, for an extensive talk about her brother and her account of the events in the last month. A video from that conversation leads off this storified roundup of local news about Weishuhn's death, the bullying issue and more video from Kayla and her brother's friends:
Kenneth Weishuhn's sister talks about bullying | Video Library | The Des Moines RegisterKenneth Weishuhn's sister talks about bullyingBullied Primghar teen couldn't see past his pain, committed suicide
PRIMGHAR, IA. - Fourteen-year-old Kenneth James Weishuhn Jr. revealed to his family and fellow students a month ago that he was gay. What...- Kayla Weishuhn reportedly has been scheduled to be interviewed Wednesday, April 24, by Thomas Roberts on MSNBC.
Iowa must refine its anti-bullying efforts, Branstad says " Des Moines Register Staff BlogsIowa - in the spotlight this month for a number of high-profile cases of extreme school bullying - must continue to refine its efforts to...
Davenport group plans vigil for Kenneth WeishuhnA candlelight vigil will be held in Davenport, Iowa Tuesday in honor of Kenneth Weishuhn of Primghar.- Activists planning "No Bully Iowa" rally at Capitol on Wednesday " Des Moines Register Staff BlogsA Des Moines activist says he's organizing a protest at the Iowa Capitol on Wednesday, April 25, as part of an effort to call attention t...
OUR OPINION: We must stop bullying. It starts here. And it starts now.Siouxland lost a young life to a senseless, shameful tragedy last week. By all accounts, Kenneth Weishuhn was a kind-hearted, fun-loving ...Munson: 'We buried a student today. We should never have to do that.'
Pallbearers console each other after guiding the casket for Kenneth James Weishuhn Jr. of Primghar as it leaves Grace Lutheran Church and...
South O'Brien community says tearful goodbye to Kenneth Weishuhn " Des Moines Register Staff BlogsHundreds of mourners packed into Grace Lutheran Church today in Primghar for the funeral of Kenneth James Weishuhn Jr., the 14-year-old h...
Obituary For: Kenneth James Weishuhn Jr. | Gaudian - Eldridge Funeral HomesKenneth J. Weishuhn Jr. Primghar , Iowa Funeral Services for Kenneth J. Weishuhn Jr, 14, of Primghar, passed away on Sunday, April 15, 20...
More notes, perspective from the Kenneth Weishuhn mourning in Primghar " Des Moines Register Staff BlogsToday brings the funeral for Kenneth James Weishuhn Jr., the 14-year-old from Primghar who took his own life last weekend after relentles...- Anti-bullying hot line plan in the worksAt least two Iowa lawmakers are investigating whether they can help the state set up an anti-bullying hot line before the end of this yea...
- This is absolutely heartbreaking- THIS is the hate that I talk about. THIS is what it's doing to us!! To our community!! I am at a loss seeing this story. What can possibly be done to SAVE the lives of our gay youth if the change doesn't start with us? Pay attention, people!! Look around and see what indifference causes!!
After suicide, S. O'Brien schools to review bullying allegationsPRIMGHAR, Iowa -- In the weeks before his death, Kenneth Weishuhn hid his pain with a smile, family members said. They knew Kenneth, 14, ...- Social media also has been a positive force in the wake of Weishuhn's death. A "Remember Kenneth James Weishuhn" Facebook group has cropped up, as well as a "No bully Iowa" group. Weishuhn himself was interested in the "It Gets Better Project" to support LGBT youth, and his own Pinterest feed illustrates some of his favorite things:
Kenneth Weishuhn (15kweishuhn)Kenneth is using Pinterest, an online pinboard to collect and share what inspires you.
Zero Tolerance? Student Death Raises Questions(PRIMGHAR, IA) "Be buddies, not bullies." This was a favorite quote of 14-year-old Kenneth Weishuhn, who committed suicide this past week...
Parents, school react to NW Iowa teen's suicideSeveral other South O'Brien parents expressed concern about bullying in the district, saying school administration isn't doing enough to ...
Family: Bullies pushed NW Iowa teen to take own lifeKenneth Weishuhn was only a freshman at South O'Brien High School. That's located in Paullina, Iowa. Family and friends say the 14-year-o...
Bullying Is Being Blamed For Suicide Of NW Iowa TeenBy Tanya De Jesus [email protected] Over the weekend Kenneth Weishuhn committed suicide. His mom Jeannie Chambers believes Kenneth took...
