Few people have escaped high school without taking with them memories of bullying.
Whether they were victims, perpetrators or merely observers, bullying has long been a part of the secondary school experience.
But once again this year, Prince George high school students are standing up to bullies and speaking out against the practice by participating in this year's Pink Shirt Day, a national anti-bullying awareness day.
"From a student body perspective, everyone wants to feel like they're respected in the building," said Duchess Park secondary teacher Dave Holmes, who supervised his school's anti-bullying efforts. When students can step up and be supportive of others, it demonstrates that bullying of any kind is not acceptable in their learning community, Holmes said.
Duchess Park Grade 10 student Hannah Donovan said she was bullied merely for having red hair. While she said she's gotten past it, there are others who are not able to overcome bullying so easily and that's why it's important for students like her to stand up for them.
"It's important they know there are people who will support them, people who will be their friend and care for them, even if other people won't," Donovan said.
As a member of the school's Me to We club, Donovan had a hand in the creation and selling of two custom-designed pink Stop Bullying T-shirts. The shirts were designed by Grade 11 art club members Bryn Pritchard and NoeLani Jung (who is also in the Me to We club).
The students created 160 silk-screened shirts after last year's supply of 60 sold out on the first day.
The goal of the Me to We club is to encourage students to use their gifts to better their community, said Holmes.
"This is definitely one of those situations," he said.
The other high schools across School District 57 also have plans in place for today's day of awareness.
The leadership class in Mackenzie promoted the campaign and students were encouraged to wear pink as well as participate in a flash mob at the local mall and high school.
At Kelly Road secondary, they are marking the day not only with pink T-shirts, but also pink bannock.
In addition to selling pink T-shirts, College Heights secondary school students are performing anti-bullying drama presentations and Grade 12 leadership students will make informational presentations to the younger grades. In a show of physical support, students will gather in the multi-purpose room to stomp out bullying by stomping out balloons.
Having everyone come together to wear pink demonstrates there are many voices willing to be heard in the fight against bullying, Donovan explained.
"I really feel it will make a difference and in the future, people will change the way they act."
