High School Bullying

Bullying has become a major problem in High Schools across the country.  In Victor High School, New York the bullying started sophomore year for Delaney E., who is now a senior.  Delaney was bullied because she did not invite all the popular girls to a pool party.  Soon after Delaney started receiving hateful texts and voice mails.  The bullying got so bad she planned her schedule around the girls, just so she would not have to walk down the same hall as them.  Delaney then entered therapy and everything began to be better.  Delaney now a senior at Victor says the bullying and harassment has stopped because she spoke up.

Jim H Jr a student in the Webster School District was bullied all through his school years.  He would come home with bruises and other signs of cruelty but refuse to talk about it.  In seventh grade his school counselor suggested he see a mental health specialist.  The specialist told Jim's parents he had Asperger's Syndrome a form of autism.  His parents never knew, but after the diagnoses things for Jim became better.  It was not that Jim did not want to talk about being bullied it was that he could not express himself to anyone.  Now a senior at Webster Thomas Jim has a solid group of friends and is doing much better.

Elise G a sixth grade in Brockport New York says the bullying was so bad she could not even ride the bus anymore.  Older boys ganged up on her because she did not go out on a date with one of them.  The boys were tripping her in the halls and on the bus making her life a nightmare.  Elise a young sixth grader was so confused and upset, she had done nothing to the boys, yet they still targeted her.  Her friends abandoned her in her time of need because they too were scared of the older boys.  She had no one and was forced to be home schooled.  The boys could not be punished because there was not enough stable proof.  With summer approaching Elise though things would become better, she was wrong.  A fake Facebook page was created in Elise's name making fun of her friends and saying mean things.  However the new school year has just begun and Elise has a new schedule and bus route that avoids the bullying boys.  Elise is much happier now that the bullying has stopped.

Many people do not realize how serious bullying can be.  In some cases bullying can drive the victim to suicide just like it did for Jamey Rodemeyer.  Jamey was a fourteen year old kid from Buffalo NY who was bullied because of his sexual orientation.  On Jamey’s Formspring account people wrote “JAMIE IS STUPID, GAY, FAT AND [sic] UGLY. HE MUST DIE!”  Another read, “I wouldn’t care if you died. No one would. So just do it :) It would make everyone WAY more happier!”  However other kids posted words of encouragement "Um. Jamey is amazing and it doesn't matter if someone's gay or not. Everyone loves Jamey, and if you don't then you obviously didn't take the time to get to know him."  Olivia R an eighth grader at Jamey's school said "He was always putting people first.  He always wanted other people to smile, even on the worst of his days."
Jamey's last Facebok was taken from Lady Gaga's song Queen "don't forget me when I come crying to heaven’s door."  Jamey was a huge Gaga fan, and at her last concert she dedicated her song/performance of 'Hair' in memory of Jamey.  Lady Gaga so moved by Jamey's death has suggested to the president to make bullying illegal.  Gaga says bullying is a het crime and should be illegal.

Bishop Kearney High School believes bullying is an untorlerable act.  Kearney believes bullying to be an act directed at one or more pupils, interferes with the pupil’s ability to learn and/or engage in activities.  Cyber-bullying at BK is distinguished as a written act (internet, cell phone, PDA) that is stimulated by a actual and/or perceived characteristic.  Kearney can only monitor acts committed during the school day, and they believe parents will help in raising non-bullying children.  Kearney's disciplinary course of action ranges from positive behavioral interventions to suspension or expulsion.  All members of the Kearney family are expected to treat others will respect and dignity.  Mr. Miller, dean of students, say "bullying is for squares."  As a student and member or the Bishop Kearney family I feel the bullying at BK is minimal.

Bullying is a serious issue that needs to be dealt with.