Jennie Runevitch/Eyewitness News
Friends of a 15-year-old packed the courthouse square in Greensburg Wednesday to remember a high school student troubled by bullying in school.
They say Billy Lucas committed suicide after being harassed and repeatedly called names, and that he simply could not take it anymore.
Holding candles and holding back tears, hundreds of people gathered at the courthouse in Greensburg to remember the teenager who took his own life.
"Shoved into lockers, punched because he was different," Greenburg sophomore Bobbi Quinlan said, describing how Lucas was treated.
"They picked on him because of the way he talked, the way he dressed," Greensburg freshman Courtney Acton said. "They thought he was gay."
"Everyone would do nothing but make fun of him," friend Heide King said. "He was just a loving kid. There was nothing wrong with him."
The case has garnered national attention, and Wednesday's vigil provided a rallying cry against bullying in schools.
Greensburg's principal told Eyewitness News earlier this week that no one was punished for picking on Billy Lucas, and the administration said they were not aware how serious the bullying had become. Students and parents called on the district to make changes, fearing another student suicide.
"They don't handle it, they're just aware of the situation and nothing gets done,"parent Pam Rudicel said. "Kids don't get punished. They don't get talked to. Parents don't get called."
"We have a bully policy, but the only thing they do is put up posters," Quinlan said. "Billy went to counselors. He went to the principal. No one did anything. We as students, as a student body, need to stand up for what's right and need to band together and take our halls back from bullies."
They say Wednesday's vigil is just the first step.
The superintendent of Greensburg schools says the school board plans to create a new committee to combat bullying, involving students, teachers and staff. At the vigil, they called for students to take action and make it work.
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