It’s no secret that teenagers can take their grades in school very seriously. Getting a bad grade can feel like the end of the world, and for some students, it may even lead to serious consequences.

Recently, two teenagers in Iowa were charged with first-degree murder after allegedly killing their Spanish teacher over a bad grade.

While this story is certainly an extreme example, it highlights the importance of how we deal with grades. A bad grade is not the end of the world, and it is certainly not worth taking another person’s life over. If you are struggling in a class, there are plenty of resources available to help you improve your grades. Talk to your teacher, get a tutor, or put in some extra study time outside of class. Whatever you do, don’t let your grades influence you to resort to violence.

According to The Daily Wire,

Two teenagers from Iowa stand accused of killing their Spanish teacher last year after she gave one of the teens a bad grade.

Prosecutors allege that Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale, who were both 16 at the time of the murder, followed Fairfield High School Spanish teacher Nohema Graber to a park where she was known to take daily walks after school and killed her, the New York Post reported.

Earlier in the day on November 2, 2021, Miller met with Graber to discuss the low grade she had given him, court documents reviewed by the Post show.

“The poor grade is believed to be the motive behind the murder of Graber which directly connects Miller,” said the court documents, which were filed by Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding and Assistant Iowa Attorney General Scott Brown.

The next day, Graber’s body was found hidden under a tarp, wheelbarrow, and railroad ties in the park where she had been walking.

If convicted of first-degree murder, they could be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

This story is a tragic example of what can happen when teenage competitiveness gets out of hand. Grades are important, but they are not worth sacrificing your future over—or someone else’s life. I swear, it’s like they completely don’t understand that they’re defeating the purpose of what they’re wanting to accomplish. They think a bad grade is bad? Wait until they’re getting beat up in prison over some Cheetos.

If you are struggling in school, there are plenty of resources available to help you get back on track.