Anti-bullying group formed at B.F. Terry High School

Dozens of students signed an anti-bullying pledge. Shown with the sign are, from left, Warren Royal, David Cyrus, Taylor Patterson, Victoria Mason, Adam Baldwin, Nicole Duran, Ceceia Duran, Ilse Chavez, Esmeralda Olivares, Lizette Duran, Eric Gonzales and

Alarmed by news reports about the effects of bullying in schools around the country, students and counselors at B.F. Terry High School recently formed an anti-bullying organization.

The idea for the group, United Students Against Bullying, came from student David Cyrus. With the help of two counselors, Jan Payne and Kim Vogler, students in the initial core group in December started to brainstorm plans and gather anti-bullying pledges.

By February, the group had a motto ("I am here for protection, not rejection"), logo wristbands and more than 100 signatures on a wall-sized pledge poster designed by Diana Prihoda, the counselors' secretary.

Inspired by the group's momentum, counselors started a “Ranger Saver Program” for anonymous reports of bullying. Students in the Building Trades program built and mounted a secure box outside the counselors’ offices where students can anonymously drop Ranger Saver forms to be investigated by the counselors.
                
“Bullying can be someone making fun of the way a person talks or physical bullying,” said Vogler in a statement. “Anything that makes a child feel belittled in any way is considered bullying.”

United Students Against Bullying meets monthly to discuss current issues in bullying and how to help people who experience bullying.

Members of the core group are Cyrus, president; Shane Donnelly; “A” lunch secretary, Lindell Thomas; “B” lunch vice president, Adam Baldwin; “B” lunch secretary, Esmeralda Olivares; “C” lunch vice president, Victoria Mason; “C” lunch secretary, Taylor Patterson; “D” lunch vice president, Brea Matchett; “D” lunch secretary, Cecelia Duran; treasurer, Eric Gonzales and Megan Foncannon, publicity manager.

To find out more about United Students Against Bullying, contact the counselors at 832-223-3400.