Six student journalists from southeastern Kansas recently got kudos from reporters at major U.S. newspapers across the county. The students’ expert sleuthing and pursuit of truth in the face of authority brought down their recently-appointed principal.
On March 6, Amy Robertson was appointed head principal at Pittsburgh High School. So five juniors and one senior at the school’s newspaper, The Booster Redux, began to research their new administrator. But when they started looking into Corlins University, the private school where Robertson received her master’s and doctorate degrees, things began to smell a bit fishy. Strangely, the school’s website was down and there was no evidence it was even accredited. Further research turned up numerous articles claiming that Corlins was a diploma mill that sells degrees.
The students spent weeks contacting educational institutions and accreditation agencies to corroborate Robertson’s educational past—with some even working through their spring breaks. “At the very beginning it was a little bit exciting,” student journalist Connor Balthazor told The Washington Post. “It was like in the movies, a big city journalist chasing down a lead.” But soon the students realized they had stumbled onto something serious. “It really started hitting me that this is a much bigger deal,” Balthazor said. The students’ journalism teacher, Emily Smith, had to recuse herself from the story because she was on the committee that hired Robinson.
Not everyone was excited about the students’ investigation. “Everybody kept telling them, ‘stop poking your nose where it doesn’t belong,’ ” Smith told The Washington Post. “They were at a loss that something that was so easy for them to see was waiting to be noticed by adults,” Smith said. Unafraid of potential discipline from their principal, the students published their story last Friday in The Booster Redux.
On Tuesday night, Robertson resigned.
“In light of the issues that arose, Dr. Robertson felt it was in the best interest of the district to resign her position,” Pittsburg Community Schools announced in a statement. “The Board has agreed to accept her resignation.” The school board has since decided to reopen the position and to begin interviewing new candidates. After the story broke, several national journalists tweeted about the students’ fantastic work. “I honestly thought they were joking at first,” Balthazor said. “Most high schoolers would never get even close to an opportunity to get to experience something like this.”
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.