Growing up isn't easy. For as long as there have been kids on playgrounds, there have been bullies out to make their lives harder. These kids who decide to be mean can cripple their classmates' confidence, especially during their formative years. Of course, not all kids stay quiet and absorb what these bullies are dishing out. Sometimes bullied kids turn brave and stand up to their tormentors. These are their stories. One kid recognized he was the problem and did the most amazing thing.
Post-its For Positive Change
In 2014, Canadian high schooler Caitlin Hacke was shocked when she opened her Ipad and found a vicious note inside. Instead of letting the act of vandalism crush her morale, Caitlin went on a mission to lift up her classmates and spread positivity. She proceeded to stick post-its with positive messages on her classmates' lockers.
The uplifting act was recognized by her city and has become known as "Positive Post-it Day." Four years later, the positivity spread by Caitlin Hacke is recognized worldwide as a day for anti-bullying awareness.
The Origin Of "Pink Shirt Day"
At a high school in 2007, David Shepard and Travis Price were angered when they saw another student bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. After school, they went out and bought 50 pink shirts for students to wear the next day. Word spread about their plan and hundreds of students showed up to school wearing pink.
The unprecedented show of support inspired Canada to create "Pink Shirt Day." The day, officially re-established worldwide as "Anti-Bullying Day" in 2012, helps bring awareness to the overwhelming problem of bullying in society.
Turning a Joke Into a Dream Come True
When Whitney Kropp's high school class nominated her for homecoming princess as a joke, she ran with it, creating her own punch line. The teen admits she was devastated when she found out the whole thing was a bullying tactic. She even contemplated suicide that night.
Instead of letting her bullies win, Whitney participated in the homecoming court. A number of local businesses backed Whitney, giving her new clothes and a new hairstyle to boost her confidence. A Facebook page was also created and received 96,000 likes! Looks like the joke is no longer on this brave high schooler.
Anti-Bullying Taught in Wisconsin Classrooms
Coming out as gay in middle school did not go well for Brock Miller. Unwelcomed by his classmates, he constantly found himself bullied. By the time he reached high school, he took inspiration from Lady Gaga, who reminded him he was, "Born This Way."
Miller embraced his authentic self and, with the help of teachers, formed an anti-bullying organization at his school. The organization worked to create a curriculum that educated kids on supporting one another, that could be taught in high school classrooms. It has since been endorsed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Superheroes Aren't Just Make Believe
Born prematurely with a functional delay hasn't stopped Tony Sandella from being a real-life superhero. When two kids followed Tony off the bus after school one day and proceeded to beat him up, the young boy kept standing back up. Believing the attack to be unprovoked, Tony told his dad that was trying to be like Captain America.
After Tony's story was posted in an online blog, he was invited on a trip to meet his Marvel inspirations. Life may not always be easy for Tony Sandella, but in our eyes, he is a superhero.
This Bully Became An Advocate
Cameron Thompson was in the second-grade when he became guilt-stricken over his bullish ways. The young bully knew he crossed a line after picking on another student for bringing a doll to school. With the help of his parents, Cameron launched, "Cameron's Anti -Bullying Campaign." Surprisingly, his partner in the campaign was the boy he used to pick on.
The first meeting of the organization saw 75 people show up. It has only grown from there and has been covered by multiple major media outlets.
Girl is Bullied for Donating her Hair
After shaving her hair to donate it to cancer survivors, elementary school student Jetta Fosberg became the victim of bullying. Despite giving up her long locks for such a good cause, Jetta says students she thought were her friends were relentless in the mockery of her new 'do. She says they told her she looks like she wants to be a boy, among other verbal punches.
Angry that school officials did nothing to protect her, the resilient student took matters into her own hands. With the help of her mother, Jetta created a Facebook support page for victims of bullying. Since launching the page, it has received over 115,000 followers.
Jaylen's Challenge Foundation Went Above and Beyond
Suffering from Tourettes and Asperger's syndrome, young Jaylen Arnold challenged his bullies to change their ways. He started the "Jaylen's Challenge Foundation" as a way to educate young people about the dangers of bullying.
Since launching his anti-bullying campaign with such a unique angle, Arnold has received national attention, even appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. In 2014 the foundation was nominated for and recognized with the World of Children Award.
These Kids Took Their Message to Britain's Got Talent
British rap duo Bars and Melody took their anti-bullying message national with a performance on Britain's Got Talent. The young boy rapping asks bullies to leave him alone. He pleads for them to stop making fun of him for having no father and being poor.
The performance brought judge Simon Cowell to tears, as well as just about everyone in the audience. Bars and Melody made it through the audition and wound up placing third in the finale. Today, they continue to spread their message through their music with the exposure they received.
Student Hands Out Bands To Remind Kids: Don't Just Watch
At nine-years-old, Isabella Griffin was tired of being bullied for the way she dressed and wore her hair. With the support of her parents, she started the "Be a Buddy--Not a Bully" campaign. Through her message, Isabella hoped to encourage bystanders to step in when they see someone being bullied.
According to research, 85 percent of bystanders do nothing when a bully is tormenting someone. Now 13-years-old, Isabella Griffin has spoken to over 7,000 students about her cause. She also hands out bracelets for them to wear as a reminder to take action when they see a peer being picked on.
Bullied Girl Creates "Friendship Benches"
Acacia Woodly took a different approach to overcoming her bully in fifth grade. Born without complete arms, Acacia became an easy target for bullies very early in her life. One day, the brave girl asked a bully if they wanted to come over and talk. Once the two were in private, the bully opened up that she was having a hard time at home and taking it out on Acacia at school.
Since the revelation that sometimes bullies are bruised people too, Acacia has made it her mission to create safe spaces at schools where students can go without fear. These "friendship benches" have since been placed in over 300 schools worldwide.
"No One Eats Alone Day" Impacts 1 Million Kids
Four years ago California high school student Carl Simpson-Heil started "No One Eats Alone Day." After doing some research, Carl learned that social isolation is one of the major causes that lead to either being bullied or becoming a bully. In order to combat this, he started his campaign to encourage students to eat together and get to know one another.
Since its inception, "No One Eats Alone Day" has been used in over 1,000 schools nationwide. Over one million students have participated in the amazing anti-bullying event.
Everyone Deserves A Crown
Being bullied at a young age for her appearance, teenager Olivia Pierce entered a beauty pageant to prove everyone wrong. Suffering from low self-esteem, the pageant also helped rebuild Olivia's shattered self-image. After her experience, she started a Facebook page encouraging other bullied students to post pictures of them holding up crowns.
It doesn't matter what the crown looks like. All Olivia wants is for everyone who has had their self-esteem dragged through the mud show their courage and let the world know they're beautiful too!
Bullying Is Not Funny
During a walkout in honor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School victims, one teen was the only voice needed. At Moses Lake High School, Angelica Mansfield was the only student to speak, and she made sure her message was received loud and clear, "These shootings are happening from these kids that you’re cornering out, that you’re bullying...because you think it’s funny. And it’s not funny."
As soon as she left the stage, Angelica was hugged by a crying student. She has reiterated since her big moment that sometimes all it takes is a hug to make someone's day better.
Cheerleaders Get Bullied Too
Katie Uffens was a California cheerleader when students at her school started a "Kill Katie Club." They began harassing her with phone calls, ultimately leading her family to get the police involved. The boy who started the club was arrested but claims he did nothing wrong.
Katie left her high school and began homeschooling. The incident inspired her to start the anti-bullying website "You Matter". The site is designed to help other young people know they are not alone.
One Move To End Them All
Bullied every day in school for being overweight, 15-year-old Casey Heynes once described a good day as one where he didn't get punched. The bully, Richard Gale, had a friend video record him punching Casey. Normally a pacifist, Casey finally reached his breaking point.
He picked Richard up by the stomach and body slammed him into the concrete. Richard walked away bruised but mostly unharmed. More importantly, Casey walked away bully-free for the first time in 15 years. The story has been covered by many Australian news stations, where he lives.
Jake Is Tired Of Being Picked Last
One day, Jake, a young high school student with autism, asked to speak in front of his gym class. The topic Jake had in mind was bullying. With all eyes on him, the brave young man opened up to his entire class and said that he felt that no one sees him as more than just a target for a dodgeball. He finished by saying he would prefer to be seen as a friend.
The speech, which was filmed for the Bully Project, has made a big impact in Jake's life. Since his bravery went viral, he is happy to report that he has made more friends. Jake has also become an inspiration for how to stand up to bullies without turning into one yourself.
From Insults to I'm Sorry
When a 14-year-old student in Canada confided in friends on the bus that he cried every night he came home from school, they encouraged him to say something. The anonymous student then wrote a heartfelt post on social media. The reaction was immediate and the student was flooded with apologies from his bullies.
Now he's greeted with applause as he walks down the hallway, and it's amazing to hear about how this student was able to change his life. It's not easy being brave, but this student found the courage and is now much happier as a result. Sometimes, though, happiness is found by taking your bully's challenges head on!
9 Year Old Makes a Positive Lifestyle Change
Alvina Little-Wolf Ear was nine-years-old when a classmate chose to pick on her about her weight and asked Alvina if she was pregnant. Afterward, she refused to eat and wouldn't tell her mom what was wrong. This brave young girl eventually took her fight to social media. She posted a picture of herself on the Facebook page for Healthy Active Natives along with workout goals she had in mind.
The post was a massive success, getting little Alvina over 4,000 likes and overwhelmingly positive support. Now she reminds her mother to go on walks every day and has become an inspiration for young people struggling with body image issues everywhere.
50 Cars Rallied to Show this Kid he had Friends
Halsey Parkerson took a unique tactic to overcome his bully. Using the positivity that social media can bring, Halsey posted about his bully online, who was taunting Halsey for not having any friends. His aunt encouraged the post after he told her his story. The aunt, a member of a car club, reached out to her community to organize a rally of support for Halsey.
Over 100 people showed up in support of Halsey, driving over 50 cars into the parking lot to greet the high school student in front of everyone. When the bully approached, he immediately apologized and acknowledged he was wrong. Halsey described the event as, "one glorious day." Hopefully, his one glorious day turned in many more.
The Power Of Sports
When a school football team noticed their first-grade water boy was being picked on at school for wearing suits and speaking funny, they took a stand. The team organized "Danny Appreciation Day," where all 45 players wore a suit and tie to school.
The incredibly touching gesture helped Danny to see how much his team loves and respects him. This self-described, "Band of Brothers" don't see him as an easy target because of his speech impairment and advanced fashion sense. Instead, they see a friend, and they don't care who knows it.
