Quakertown freshman saves the day

The sun had yet to rise as Quakertown Community High School freshman Laniya Morton was walking to school. As she entered the school parking lot on Sixth Street she saw something shiny on the ground, but walked past it. Something, however, made her turn around and pick it up.

“It had some sparkle to it and was very pretty,” Laniya said.

Indeed. Laniya, not knowing the jewelry’s value, had just found a missing engagement ring. The ninth-grader walked into the school’s Main Office and handed it to Secretary Connie Derewal.

Later that morning, Ms. Derewal received a phone call from Pfaff secretary Barb Chadwick, whose daughter Madi is an assistant with the Panther Marching Band. Madi, whose wedding is scheduled for Nov. 3, had lost her ring during band practice in the school parking lot the previous evening and had frantically been searching for it.

“It was a long day and I was certain it was in my car but we just could not find it,” she said. “I know it’s a little big but we have busy schedules and haven’t had the time to get it resized. I fidget with it all the time. I’m aware of it almost all the time.”

The next morning she called her mom, who then called the high school. “They have a ring already,” Mrs. Chadwick said. “Somebody already turned it in this morning.”

“I was pretty emotional,” Madi said. “I’m amazed that it was found. I am just so thankful. I thought I was going to have my wedding day without my ring.”

Laniya, wise beyond her years, said “I wish the lady a lot of love. That is her engagement ring, and she’s about to have the happiest day of her life. I hope she has a great wedding and a happy life.”