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Cassandra Garcia, an eight-year-old student in Arizona , was humiliated when her teacher gave her an award in front of the whole class. But why would a third grader become so upset over an award? According to Garcia's mother, Christina Valdez, the award her daughter received was the "Catastrophe Award" for having the most homework excuses. Valdez told ABC News affiliate KGUN9 that her daughter received the award from her teacher, Mrs. Plowman, at Desert Springs Academy in Tucson, Ariz. on May 18, 2012. Valdez said the award was given because her daughter had the most excuses for not doing her homework. "You're Tops! Catastrophe Award. Awarded to Cassandra Garcia. For Most Excuses for Not Having Homework," the award read along with a signed signature from Mrs. Plowman and a smiley face sticker.    Garcia was reportedly upset when the award was presented in front of the entire third grade class, who in turn laughed at Garcia. "I think it's...

With graduation approaching, a time for celebration turned somber at Boston University on Saturday as students who were packing up at the end of the school year learned that three classmates studying in New Zealand were killed when their minivan crashed during a weekend trip. Five other students were injured in the accident early Saturday, including one who was in critical condition. Boston University spokesman Colin Riley said those killed in the accident were Daniela Lekhno, 20, of Manalapan, N.J.; Austin Brashears, 21, of Huntington Beach, Calif.; and Roch Jauberty, 21, whose parents live in Paris. The students were traveling in a minivan near the North Island vacation town of Taupo when the van drifted to the side of the road and then rolled when the driver tried to correct course, New Zealand police said. Three of the students died at the scene, police said. Another woman was in critical condition at a hospital, while four other students sustained moderate injuri...