BULLYING. This comes up a lot in school, either when teachers try and make a difference by enforcing that there are serious dangers when bullying someone or something so simple like posters around school that explain such things as just taking the time to think before saying something rude online or through text. Even though people don’t tend to really read them, bullying is a real issue at schools such as our own.

 You can choose to walk past a poster that warns about cyberbullying but you cannot just walk past a student actually being bullied, tormented and treated unfairly for something like what they say, believe, do or just them as a person.

 I’ve had my own experiences as a ‘victim’ of bullying. However, one issue that I’ve come to notice and realize is that when I explain my situation with being bullied and being left out, hurt and emotionally abused at school, people only seem to care after the fact.

 Why don’t people start caring BEFORE something happens? Let alone before someone comes out about being bullied.

 The biggest problem I’ve both seen and experienced is that cliques make it difficult for the student body to get along. It’s the stereotype that you’re supposed to stay in one group and be only one person based on lifestyle, sports you play or even physical features.The sad part is that you don’t pick your clique; other people assume your place.

 The best thing for us students to do when someone is bullied, whether it be in plain sight on a phone screen or signs that someone is being left out of the experience that is high school, is to try and get to know them. Make them feel as if they have a place, which everyone does have a place. It’s just the fact that some don’t believe they do. They are hiding.

 Let’s help them see that they matter, just as much as the next person.

Just ask how their day was, put in the effort to make them feel apart of something. Something as simple as that can make a difference – the difference that Mr. Germundson wants us to make.

I understand this is a very biased article, but I’d like to know what you guys think. What should the student body do to increase awareness and decrease people being mistreated?

•  Maybe, just maybe, we can create a club to raise awareness at the school.

Check out this video, “You Will Be Found | BYU Vocal Point (A Cappella Cover from Dear Evan Hansen).

The following notes, shared by Mrs. Rooke, are student statements worth reading:

Comment below what you think, whether it be on bullying itself or creating a club for the school. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!