Steered Straight Shares Anti-Bullying Message with Memorial Middle School Students

Recent studies suggest that between 15-25 percent of United States students are bullied on a regular basis, however experts suspect the actual numbers are much greater.

According to a recent anonymous survey distributed statewide, more than 75 percent of students reported that they were bullied at least once a week.

“Bullying is an unfortunate reality in schools,” said Superintendent of Point Pleasant Borough Schools Vincent S. Smith. “School administration agrees that the only way to eradicate bullying is to educate our students about staying on the right path.”

That, according to Superintendent Smith, was the message communicated with students during the district’s Bullying Prevention Week.

“Throughout the week, students participated in activities designed to help them make the right choices and understand potential consequences of bad behavior,” said Mr. Smith

Perhaps the most dramatic demonstration of that message came during a visit with Memorial Middle School students by Steered Straight.

The Millville-based organization brought powerful speakers to the school to deliver a message about the dangers of involvement with violence, drugs and alcohol, gangs and criminal activity.

The interactive presentation included a slide show accompanied by personal stories shared by the organization’s motivational speakers.

“Bullying has progressed beyond name-calling and hurt feelings,” said Steered Straight President Michael DeLeon. “As the dynamic of bullying has changed, so too have the consequences.”

“With the passage of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, New Jersey will soon have the toughest anti-bullying laws in the nation,” he continued.

Mr. DeLeon said the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, passed earlier this month by the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate Education committees is expected to be signed into law by Governor Christie by the end of this year.

The new legislation would establish a chain of command for addressing incidents of bullying. Under the measure, school employees would be required to undergo extensive training on how to spot, prevent and report acts of intimidation, bullying and harassment. The law also calls for stiffer penalties for bullies including suspension or expulsion from school.

“While the legal consequences are easily defined, the emotional consequences are often more difficult to spot,” said Mr. DeLeon as the screen presentation changed to depict the images of half a dozen young people who have recently committed suicide due to bullying.

The next images were mug shots of the bullies’ whose actions led their victims to suicide.

“These are extreme examples of where bullying can lead,” said Mr. DeLeon. “We need to put an end to it before it reaches either of these stages.”

“Everyone wants to stop bullying, but the only one that can stop it is you,” DeLeon’s partner John Fuqua said to the students. “The key is to change from a bystander to an upstander.”

Mr. Fuqua explained that there are three distinct roles in every bullying situation, that of a bully, victim and bystander.

"Whether a victim, bystander or bully, everyone will inevitably be touched by bullying at some point during their school career,” he said. “You can help put an end to it by making responsible, positive choices. You never know where your choices can lead you but I can assure you that making the right choices will lead to the right consequences.”

Sometimes the quest for identity can even lead to a great journey. A journey anywhere, even the Super Bowl.

As it did for the final speaker, former NFL player Thomas Tapeh.

Standing over six-feet-tall the former fullback shared with students his story of emigrating from Liberia, Africa to the United States at the age of nine.

“When I moved here, I spoke no English,” said Tapeh. “I felt very alone and angry.”

Mr. Tapeh said that if not for a mentor that helped him to see his abilities, it is likely that rather than being an 8-year NFL veteran playing with teams including the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings his life would have been far different.

“I had at least 25 brothers and sisters and an absent father,” explained Mr. Tapeh. “It would have been easy to get caught up in my anger and isolation. Without the help of that counselor, I can almost guarantee that I would not be standing here today,” he continued.

With that Mr. Tapeh issued a challenge to the students to make the right decisions.

“What happens in the dark will come to light,” said Tapeh. “Do the right thing when no one is looking. Do the right thing when everyone is looking and good things will happen. You may even save a life and it could be your own.”

“The Point Pleasant School District takes every measure to ensure that students are exposed to a learning environment free from harassment and bullying,” said Superintendent Smith.  “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the PTO for bringing this powerful message to our students,” he said noting that Memorial Middle School’s PTO generously funded the assembly. “I truly hope that what the kids learned this week will stay with them throughout their school careers.”