Hiding behind an image
The life of a high school student is tough. Students not only deal with the constant stress of homework but also the ordeal of trying to fit in and be accepted. This image we show at school does not portray our real selves; therefore, others do not know of our past or current circumstances. We are secluded into another dimension where most people like to pick on — or bully — one another, which makes the people being bullied believe in a fake representation of themselves.
"We least expect our peers to help us eschew the bullies, so that will give us thoughts of being worthless," said Marysville High School junior April Vang. "Bullies probably have their own issues from home or from the past, such as experience from being bullied before."
April brings up a good point because the majority of people who are been bullied become bullies themselves.
MHS had an assembly a month ago about bullying and safety; however, many students seemed not to get the message as phones lit up the room and constant chattering was heard. The assembly taught us the importance of safety, helping one another and reaching out to someone by getting to know them.
Even though acts such as these will not fully happen in our modern society, there is always a need to show a person they belong and are valued.
Elyssia Niswonger, a senior and president of the MHS Interact Club, is active in making change. She said, "Bullying will always affect MHS and every other school in some negative manner. Every stereotype — like the nerd, jock or president — has something negative attached to them. It hurts people for being who they are, when we should just embrace it.
"The Interact Club plans to eliminate the bullying and show support to those who are bullied," she added. "We are planning to do a video that includes personal stories of our own students about how bullying affected them and also go to local middle schools and teach them about bullying as well."
Elyssia has the right idea because reaching out to the younger children will, in return, have a positive impact for the generations to come.
Phillip Alvarado, a senior, said, "Bullying affects us by lowering our self-esteem. We should try to talk to a parent, teacher or someone at school and reveal that we are being bullied so nothing violent will occur. We shouldn't let other people's judgment affect us. Only you have the right to say who you are."
It is not a pleasant feeling to be picked on in some way. Students at MHS are trying many ways to implement an anti-bullying message throughout the school and our district. The more involved we are on this issue, the better the outcome and change it will have on the ones being bullied or the bullies themselves.
Marysville High students will not just benefit the school or the community but, most importantly, make an everlasting impact on a person's life.
Courtney Ngai is a senior at Marysville High School. Her column appears every six weeks in Education.
