Guyer High School’s anti-bullying committee took its message on the road Tuesday.
Three Guyer staffers on the committee and the committee’s student representative, senior Ashley Thompson, were accompanied by the Guyer varsity cheerleaders to Harpool Middle School, where they led sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students in the “Bully Proof Pledge” during an afternoon pep rally.
A packed gymnasium followed Thompson in reciting: “I! I! I! Pledge to protect myself and my peers from the words and actions of any bully. I will defend the weak, lead with strength and terminate intimidation. I stand united with my peers and a new revolution of respect, declaring with courage and honor, ‘Not in my school!’”
Cheerleaders held signs that read “courage” “brave” and “kind” and large posters spelling out “upstander” as the pledge was recited.
Harpool students were asked to stand up after they recited the pledge if they believed in it. As they did, Taylor Swift’s single “Shake It Off” — a song about shaking off the negative things people say — blared from speakers.
Thompson encouraged Harpool students to be “someone’s hero” and an “upstander” — someone who speaks up when they see a wrong, and works to right it. October is National Bullying Prevention Month.
“I hope that they understand: Do not be afraid to stand up for somebody if they’re being bullied,” Thompson said. “Be someone’s hero. I just want them to know to not be afraid to help someone else when they are in need.”
Earlier this month, Thompson said the group brought the same message to Crownover Middle School, another feeder school of Guyer. She said she hopes the committee will soon start visiting elementary campuses.
Since last year, the anti-bullying committee at Guyer has hosted an anti-bullying pep rally and activities at the high school. The group encourages students to pledge to stand up for peers they see bullied. This is the first year the committee has shared the message with middle schools, Thompson said.
BRITNEY TABOR can be reached a 940-566-6876 and via Twitter at @BritneyTabor.
