The mother of an Oklahoma high school student went to her son’s graduation ceremony Tuesday, even though her son was not there. Sabestgen Guyton was killed after a shooting last year, about six months before he was set to graduate from Star Spencer High School in Spencer, Oklahoma. But his school and family still wanted to celebrate his accomplishments. So, his mother walked on his behalf. “It hurts. My son is supposed to have this on his shoulders, and I have to carry it,” Denisha Avery, Guyton’s mom, said. There’s a reason she is carrying it. “We’re going to walk for our child. We’re going to walk for our baby ‘Bestgen,'” Avery said. Guyton was remembered for his love of boxing, and he had a passion for being in the ring. “If there was a time that me and him couldn’t talk, he could talk to those coaches,” Avery said. It didn’t matter whether he won or lost those boxing matches; his mother only saw him one way. “Champion. I’m so proud of my baby,” Avery said. But he was also a champion in the classroom. He had a mind for science and math, which was nice to have in a classroom full of children. “The teacher would specifically have him fix the computers and things of the other kids that needed help,” Avery said. “He was one of the kids that had to count 10 seconds before he could raise his hand.” Guyton was shot and killed when a group of juveniles got into a fight at the end of October. A suspect was taken into custody, but his mother had a message for parents. She said this could have been prevented. “It starts at home. If you’re not teaching your kids anything at home, how do you think they’re going to go out here and conduct themselves?” Avery said. His family has Guyton’s belts, gloves and T-shirts with his face, as well as lots of pictures. Now, Guyton looks back at his mother from a sign outside Star Spencer High School. “Long live Sabestgen. For life. There he goes! Long live Sabestgen,” his mother said.
The mother of an Oklahoma high school student went to her son’s graduation ceremony Tuesday, even though her son was not there.
Sabestgen Guyton was killed after a shooting last year, about six months before he was set to graduate from Star Spencer High School in Spencer, Oklahoma. But his school and family still wanted to celebrate his accomplishments.
So, his mother walked on his behalf.
“It hurts. My son is supposed to have this on his shoulders, and I have to carry it,” Denisha Avery, Guyton’s mom, said.
There’s a reason she is carrying it.
“We’re going to walk for our child. We’re going to walk for our baby ‘Bestgen,'” Avery said.
Guyton was remembered for his love of boxing, and he had a passion for being in the ring.
“If there was a time that me and him couldn’t talk, he could talk to those coaches,” Avery said.
It didn’t matter whether he won or lost those boxing matches; his mother only saw him one way.
“Champion. I’m so proud of my baby,” Avery said.
But he was also a champion in the classroom. He had a mind for science and math, which was nice to have in a classroom full of children.
“The teacher would specifically have him fix the computers and things of the other kids that needed help,” Avery said. “He was one of the kids that had to count 10 seconds before he could raise his hand.”
Guyton was shot and killed when a group of juveniles got into a fight at the end of October. A suspect was taken into custody, but his mother had a message for parents. She said this could have been prevented.
“It starts at home. If you’re not teaching your kids anything at home, how do you think they’re going to go out here and conduct themselves?” Avery said.
His family has Guyton’s belts, gloves and T-shirts with his face, as well as lots of pictures. Now, Guyton looks back at his mother from a sign outside Star Spencer High School.
“Long live Sabestgen. For life. There he goes! Long live Sabestgen,” his mother said.
