Welcome to the Evolving Man Project’s Evolved “Young” Man of the Week profile. Today, we will highlight historical and contemporary figures who embody what it means to be an evolved man, famous and non-famous. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. This week’s honor goes to the heroic and brave teen Acie Holland III.
A young Wisconsinite becomes a hero as people praise them for taking charge of a school bus when the driver becomes unconscious. His heroics earned him plaudits from the mayor’s office, city council, fire and rescue, and the police department, and the young man said the incident made him feel more confident.
As reported by CNN, Acie hopped on the bus for his commute home, and everything appeared to be ordinary. The driver engaged in conversation with students before wearing her headphones. Unexpectedly, the situation shifted.
Sitting towards the center of the bus, Holland noticed that the driver seemed unwell. He could sense trouble brewing as she skipped a turn and kept speeding up. He approached the driver, who apparently lost consciousness, and saw the bus heading into oncoming traffic. Holland swiftly applied the brakes without wasting a second and directed the bus to a secure position.
After parking the bus safely, Holland contacted his grandmother, a nurse assistant, and dialed 911. He also encouraged his classmates to reach out to their families. Acie Holland III gives his account of his heroic actions.
“As we got about 20 feet down Villard, I was looking at my phone and I looked back up and I felt the bus accelerate,”… “And I looked at the bus driver because she went past my stop and I looked and I seen her head just go down.”
At first, Holland’s father, Acie Holland II, had doubts about his son’s honesty, but he wasn’t surprised when the truth became clear. Mr. Holland II owns the garage, and Holland III explains that it was in this shop that Acie learned enough about cars to feel comfortable driving a bus. The school said that Holland’s leadership and compassion are something they witness daily. Still, the April 2023 incident took those leadership skills to the “next level.”
In addition to being a great wrestler, the young man loves go-karting. His ability to think quickly and his confidence are credited to the positive influence of his family. The Glen Hills School Community expressed immense pride in Holland. Students could be heard chanting “AC-Hero” when school let out a week later.
Holland’s bravery did not escape attention. The local community showed its appreciation for him at a school board meeting, presenting him with a proclamation from the mayor and city council. The Glendale Police Department and Milwaukee Fire Department acknowledged his bravery.
The Evolving Man Project congratulates Acie Holland III for his heroic efforts in 2023. We wish him all the best for his future endeavors. Today, we honor Acie Holland III as our Evolved “Young” Man of the Week.
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