Ruvolo

Small-business owner Julie Ruvolo is certainly tech savvy.

Learn how technology, gadgets can help your small business 2009

But instead of going to prison for up to 25 years, the offender, Ryan Cushing, 18, was allowed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree assault at the insistence of Ms. Ruvolo.

Meryl Ain, Ed.D.: A Plan to End Bullying and Make Schools Kinder and Gentler Ed.D. Meryl Ain 2012

As a result of Ruvolo's compassion, Goldman developed a program of repentance for juveniles, one believed to be the first in the country.

Meryl Ain, Ed.D.: A Plan to End Bullying and Make Schools Kinder and Gentler Ed.D. Meryl Ain 2012

Goldman's book, co-authored with Victoria Ruvolo, tells the true story of an incident that took place on the Long Island Expressway in November 2004.

Meryl Ain, Ed.D.: A Plan to End Bullying and Make Schools Kinder and Gentler Ed.D. Meryl Ain 2012

Goldman noted that Ryan continued speaking to groups with Ruvolo well after his one-year of community service ended.

Meryl Ain, Ed.D.: A Plan to End Bullying and Make Schools Kinder and Gentler Ed.D. Meryl Ain 2012

After Cushing entered his plea and was leaving the courtroom -- knowing he would be sentenced to only six months in jail, five years probation and one year of community service -- he stopped in front of Ruvolo, who was standing at the end of a row, and hugged her.

Meryl Ain, Ed.D.: A Plan to End Bullying and Make Schools Kinder and Gentler Ed.D. Meryl Ain 2012

Ruvolo uses many gadgets to keep on top of her work and personal demands, such as the ultra-small Samsung NC10 netbook that transports easily in her designer purse.

Learn how technology, gadgets can help your small business 2009

"I'm so thankful that you are doing well," he whispered to Ruvolo, whose face had to be rebuilt using metal plates and screws in a 10-hour operation.

Meryl Ain, Ed.D.: A Plan to End Bullying and Make Schools Kinder and Gentler Ed.D. Meryl Ain 2012

A teenager tossed a 20-pound frozen turkey out the rear window of the car he was riding in and it broke the windshield of an oncoming car, hitting and nearly killing Ruvolo, its driver.

Meryl Ain, Ed.D.: A Plan to End Bullying and Make Schools Kinder and Gentler Ed.D. Meryl Ain 2012

Goldman's book, co-authored with Victoria Ruvolo, tells the true story of an incident that took place on the Long Island Expressway in November 2004.

Meryl Ain, Ed.D.: A Plan to End Bullying and Make Schools Kinder and Gentler Ed.D. Meryl Ain 2012