VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Portsmouth family laid their loved one to rest at the age of just 10 years old on Monday.
Keontre Thornhill died from gun violence more than one week ago, after investigators say a stray bullet fatally hit the boy while inside his home in Cradock. Portsmouth police previously told 13News Now a fight between teenage girls outside led to the shooting.
On the heels of the boy's tragic shooting, a local psychologist geared a message of conflict resolution to middle schoolers in the 757.
Students at Corporate Landing Middle School received a different kind of lesson about life on Monday afternoon. 13News Now got an exclusive look at the assembly inside the auditorium.
The format was unlike an average school presentation. It incorporated song, dance, and true stories.
Dr. Adolph "Doc" Brown, a clinical psychologist based in Virginia Beach, tackled the topics of character, consequences and choices in a roughly hour-long performance.
"They can learn anything once we get their attention. That's why this is 'edu-tainment,'" said Dr. Brown.
The "edu-tainers" consisted of Dr. Brown and colleagues who travel around the world giving similar kinds of lectures. They used music, costumes, dance, and engaging conversation to dissuade students from bullying, using drugs and vaping, among other topics.
Dr. Brown also said one of his grandchildren attends Corporate Landing, prompting the visit.
A native of Virginia Beach, Dr. Brown drew from his own life experience. He told the crowd he sought revenge after his 18-year-old brother was murdered when he was just 11 years old. However, Dr. Brown emphasized revenge isn't the answer; he ended up choosing another path.
"We want them to know between a stimulus and a response, there are choices," he explained.
Dr. Brown, who also previously taught middle schoolers, shared the value of sticking with education and finding a passion.
"There are choices [...] there are activities. The young people who do best in education are the young people who connect to education, connect to extra-curricular activities, connect to sports, connect to something," he said.
Alternatively, Dr. Brown suggested students connect with an adult at their school who can sponsor a club or activity, if there isn't one already that interests them.
"Education pays," Dr. Brown declared during the assembly.
He hopes students can cut through the noise and remember "chill" isn't just a word but an acronym.
"Choose forceful words, not fighting words, that's the 'C.' The 'H' is hear yourself. 'I,' interrupt yourself. First 'L?' Listen, listen to your body. Are you getting tense? Are you getting angry? If none of that works, the last 'L' is to leave the situation," said Dr. Brown.
Additionally, sending the message out to middle schoolers at a formative age meant a lot to Dr. Brown and his team. He and his colleagues are products of Virginia Beach City Public Schools, only adding to the significance of their presentation.