When an eighth-grader has to tell adults how to behave, it is a shame. But that’s exactly what Brandi Jones, a student at Natchez Middle School, did last week at the district’s first safe schools rally.

And we’re happy she did.

&uot;(Parents) shouldn’t come onto campus hurting other students. If they want to keep the fighting off the campus, they can’t be the ones fighting,&uot; Brandi told the group.

Under normal circumstances that would seem like a no-brainer. And it is a no-brainer.

But in the wake of an incident in which a group of parents allegedly climbed onto a school bus and got involved in a student fight, it was necessary to reiterate that simple thought.

Brandi was absolutely correct.

How can we expect our children to behave any better than we do?

The &uot;do as I say, not as I do&uot; theory only goes so far.

Children of all backgrounds look to adults in their lives for leadership and role models.

Unfortunately it seems difficult for some of our children to see much leadership through all of the childish, irresponsible acts many of their parents commit every day.

If the adults in our society won’t stand up to say that such ridiculous behavior won’t be tolerated, thankfully some of our children will.

After stirring the crowd on hand with her comments, Brandi simply said she was speaking &uot;what I thought in my heart.&uot;

We can only hope that more people in our society follow Brandi’s lead and stand up for our future.

Bravo Brandi.