New Bedford Students Show Courage During Anti-Bullying Talk

Today marked the first stop on our Anti-Bullying Tour alongside our good friends at First Citizens' Federal Credit Union, and we kicked things off at St. Teresa of Calcutta School.

There was a good mix of students, ranging from fourth to eighth, and I’ll be honest, this one wasn’t easy.

Talking about my own personal experience with being bullied as a kid is never comfortable. It’s raw, it’s emotional, and it brings back memories that aren’t always fun to revisit. But if sharing those experiences helps even one kid feel less alone, then it’s always worth having the conversation.

During the presentation, I asked the students to raise their hands (only if they felt comfortable) if they had ever been bullied. What happened next stopped me in my tracks.

A Room Full of Raised Hands

Without hesitation, hands started going up.

Before long, about 65-70 percent of the room had their hands in the air. Seeing that many kids silently acknowledging something so difficult was a powerful reminder that bullying is still very real, even today.

The room got quiet. You could feel the weight of the moment.

One Brave Student Steps Forward

Then something incredible happened.

One young boy stood up from his seat, walked to the front of the room, and shared his story about being bullied. It took serious courage to do that in front of his classmates.

Listening to his story and hearing the hurt in his voice filled my eyes, but what stood out the most was his willingness to try and forgive the person who bullied him.

That kind of strength isn’t easy for anyone, let alone a student. I couldn't have been more proud.

Why These Conversations Matter

Moments like that are exactly why we’re doing this tour.

Bullying isn’t always something kids feel comfortable talking about, but when one person finds the courage to speak up, it can open the door for others to feel seen and understood.

READ MORE: Learning to Forgive: Gazelle Reveals the Aftermath of Being Bullied As a Child

Today, that young man didn’t just share his story, he inspired an entire room of people.

If this first stop is any indication, this mission to advocate for those affected by bullying is already doing exactly what it set out to do.