Matt Hamilton/Daily Citizen-News Jacob Burns, second from left, and Addison Freeman, third from left, hand out bracelets for their "Be A Buddy, Not A Bully" club to students Mia Hayes, 6, left, and Kyola Williams, 5, right, at Dug Gap Elementary School.

DALTON, Ga. — Since starting an anti-bullying club, Jacob Burns, a fourth-grader at Dug Gap Elementary this past school year, said he noticed students were being nicer to each other.

“I’ve seen a good amount of people stop bullying,” said Burns, who along with classmates Addison Freeman and Giselle Triana-Oceguera started the “Be A Buddy, Not A Bully” club in January.

The trio were students in Carrie McCutchen’s class. Freeman said they chose the name because McCutchen had a poster in the room that read “Be A Buddy, Not A Bully.”

“We never liked bullies and thought we could create a program to help people understand that bullies are not cool,” Burns said. “Sometimes people do it (bully) because they think it’s cool.”

Burns said it’s a subject that’s personal because he’s been bullied.

“It made me feel real sad,” he said. “I hope everyone being bullied knows we are here to talk and make sure they are alright.”

McCutchen said she’s proud of the students for taking a stand against bullying.

“At the beginning of each school year while addressing fourth-grade expectations, I use the bullying poster as a part of the discussion,” she said. “It also serves as a reminder throughout the school year.”

McCutchen said Burns took the lesson and ran with it.

“He found students willing to take a stand and help share his message,” she said. “Giselle and Addison stepped up to support Jacob. As a result of these students’ actions, I have noticed an increase in kindness and awareness throughout.”

Kim Mays, a guidance counselor at Dug Gap Elementary, said the students came to her in January with an idea to start an anti-bullying club. Mays said she taught classroom guidance lessons earlier in the year about not being a bully and ways to handle being bullied.

“I talked to classes about how to include everyone and be a friend,” she said. “I helped coordinate this program, but the students did most of the work.”

Shortly after meeting with Mays to iron out details of the club, Burns, Freeman and Oceguera began going to classrooms speaking to students about bullying. They passed out neon green bracelets with “Be A Buddy” printed on one side and “Not A Bully” on the other.

The club is open to any Dug Gap student. The club grew to about 70 members. Burns said students from all grade levels have signed their names pledging not to bully.

Fourth-grade club members Mason Gentry and Evan Houston said they are glad the club is at Dug Gap.

“I think it’s a good way to express that nobody should pick on other kids,” Gentry said. “It’s also a good way to show anyone can learn to stand up for themselves, ignore bullies and have a good time.”

Houston said the club helps people being bullied.

“They don’t have a lot of friends, but now they can start to have fun with people and won’t be bullied anyone,” he said.

Patrick Hayes, a fifth-grade member this past school year, said he hopes the club inspires more students to be nice.

“There are lots of ways to be nice to people,” he said. “You don’t need to bully people or be mean to them.”