Ms Balm, Nicholas told me that you said you were disappointed in him. Well frankly I Am disappointed in you for making my son feel as if he had done something terribly wrong when he didn’t. Maybe if you knew the details you would not have said that.

What he did was right. He stuck up for Mekhi & Khaniya White who are like family to him. The other student was picking on them. The other student threw a bottle of water in Nicholas’ face, he also punched Nicholas. Nicholas put the other student in a choke hold to restrain him.

Do you know why? I will tell you why. Nicholas does not like to fight. He doesn’t like to hurt others intentionally even if they have hurt him. Ask any of his teachers and they will tell you he is a compassionate kind boy. He restrained the other student to end the fight.

The fight did not “escalate” as you said it could have Mr Cruise because my son did not allow it to escalate. My son was physically capable of hurting the other student but instead he restrained him and told the boy not to mess with him again.

Yes, the incident has passed and it is over and it will be forgotten however what Ms. Balm said to my son and how she made him feel will not be forgotten. It is sad that you would make a child feel this way when they reacted appropriately in a situation. My son did what he was taught by his father and I. He stuck up for others and himself, he defended himself which by Virginia Law he has every right to do, (screw the school rules that he cannot hit back), as opposed to fighting the other student he restrained him as he was taught so that he could end the altercation.

No disrespect you Mr. Cruise but before you call me about my son having an altercation again make sure you have all the details, because several were left out.

Thank you!

Tara Sample"