Youth ribbon for Summa student Rayan: quick action makes a difference

Eindhoven Mayor Jeroen Dijsselbloem presented a Youth Award to Rayan van Laarhoven (18), a Summa Economics and Entrepreneurship student. The award ceremony took place at the Summa campus on Vestdijk, in the presence of family, friends, fellow students, and teachers.

The Youth Ribbon is awarded annually to young people who have done something special for others or their community. Rayan received the award for his quick and decisive action during an incident in Eindhoven. Thanks to his actions, police were able to identify and quickly arrest a suspect.

Rayan is studying Legal, Insurance & HR Services Specialist at Summa. He plans to become a lawyer later in life.

When a 15-year-old friend called him about a man behaving inappropriately at a playground, he didn't hesitate. He drove to the playground, chased the man, wrote down the license plate number, asked a driver for help along the way to continue the chase, and maintained contact with the police. This resulted in the perpetrator's arrest shortly afterward.

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Mayor Dijsselbloem was clear in his speech: "You took responsibility, precisely when it was needed. You acted in a strange, unusual situation. You don't expect to encounter something like that. But you stayed calm, called 112, and followed up. In a split second, you decided to take action. You showed that young people can and are willing to do that."

For Rayan himself, the award came as a complete surprise. "I was completely overwhelmed. I didn't know anything, and suddenly my whole family was in the classroom; they kept it a secret. It's wonderful to receive this recognition. I'm incredibly grateful for this."

He's very clear about his actions at the playground: "I've experienced many exciting things, but this one blew everything away. It's absurd that someone would commit desecration at a playground. That's why I did what I did. I never expected to receive anything for it. I'm proud of my city and my family."

In addition to a medal, Rayan also receives a mention in the youth heroes tunnel in Eindhoven, the tunnel between the city center and Kruisstraat.