September 5, 2025

Student Injured at School Pep Rally Raises Safety Concerns

News Summary

A student at Westside High School in Jacksonville suffered significant injuries, including a concussion, during a game at a pep rally. The incident involved a teacher, prompting the student’s mother to seek legal action. As the investigation continues, the school district has reassigned the teacher and placed emphasis on student safety during such events. With the student’s recovery at stake, discussions around safety protocols in schools are becoming increasingly important.

Jacksonville, Florida – An incident at Westside High School during a pep rally has left a student with significant injuries following an encounter with a teacher during a game of musical chairs. The mother of the injured student, 16-year-old Nyla Millikin, plans to take legal action against the teacher responsible for the incident.

The incident took place on a Friday when the pep rally was in full swing. During the game, Nyla Millikin was unexpectedly body slammed to the ground by a teacher. The injuries sustained by Nyla include a concussion and bruised ribs, according to medical reports. Her pediatrician has confirmed that Nyla is experiencing a severe concussion, which has led to her missing multiple days of school.

As a result of her injuries, Nyla has been advised by her doctor to refrain from both school and sports activities for two to three weeks. This time away from school is concerning for her mother, Joanna Millikin, who is focused on her daughter’s recovery and is also seeking accountability for the teacher’s actions. Joanna Millikin has already retained legal representation and intends to pursue charges against the teacher involved in the incident.

A video capturing the incident has circulated on TikTok, showing the moment Nyla was thrown to the ground, followed by the teacher celebrating his win in the game. Joanna has expressed her distress over witnessing the video of her daughter’s injury, stating that it is painful to watch. Such social media coverage has intensified public attention on the situation.

In response to the incident, Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) has reassigned the teacher to a position that does not involve contact with students while the investigation is ongoing. DCPS has stated they uphold high standards for their staff; however, they did not provide further details regarding the investigation due to its current status.

Legal representation for the Millikin family, attorney Gary Englander, is actively pursuing actions following the incident. As Nyla Millikin continues her recovery, the focus remains on the legal proceedings against the teacher involved. The broader implications of this incident may bring about discussions regarding safety protocols during school activities.

The Duval County School District is currently limited in the information they can disclose owing to the active investigation. Additionally, the State Board of Education has chosen not to comment on the situation in adherence to Florida state law, leaving many questions unanswered for both the community and the Millikin family.

This incident raises significant concerns about student safety during school events and the responsibility of educators in overseeing such activities. The upcoming weeks will be crucial as the investigation progresses, and as Nyla Millikin begins her path to recovery.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Teacher Reassigned After Body Slamming Student at School Event
Westside High School Incident Raises Safety Concerns
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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER

The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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