Students Learn ABC’s of Anti-Bullying

SCHUYLERVILLE — Schuylerville students in grades K-12 are practicing their ABCs to help combat bullying. It’s all part of a message from the “Sweethearts and Heroes” presentation students attended on Monday, September 12. Students of all grade levels were engaged as they listened to a former professional mixed martial arts fighter explain what actions they can take as bystanders when they witness bullying. “It was much different from the presentations we have seen in the past,” said 11th grader Olivia Edgar. “It was fun, interactive and we didn’t know what was going to happen next.” The district held four age-appropriate presentations during the day, followed by a parent program in the evening. While high school students were greeted with a video montage of presenter Tom Murphy’s former MMA fights, elementary school students were welcomed by Murphy transforming into superhero Mr. Incredible. Despite the varying presentations, Murphy’s message was the same. Students were taught that to be somebody’s hero, it’s as easy as A, B, C: A stands for AWAY. Get the victim away from the bully. B stands for BUDDY. Be a buddy to the victim and let them know that you care. C stands for CONFRONT or CALL. Confront the bully to fix the problem, or call an adult and report the bully. Older students also heard from special guest Rick Yarosh, a retired U.S. Army sergeant injured in Iraq, who suffered burns over most of his body. Yarosh told students to remember H.O.P.E., what he refers to as “Hold On Possibilities Exist,” and spoke about sweethearts, the people who have the power to give others hope. “Sgt. Yarosh was inspiring,” said eighth-grader Sebastian Barrett. “His story is incredible and his message of hope during rough times will definitely stick with me.”