MacIntyre Park Middle School (MPMS) students and faculty have recently completed the “Be THE Voice,” an anti-bullying program sponsored by the Rotary Club of Thomasville. 

MPMS Principal Tina McBride elected to have her school do the program when she saw statistics of 13 million kids will be bullied this year, making it the most common form of violence experienced by young people in the nation; bullying stops in less than 10 seconds when someone intervenes on behalf of the target; and 90 percent of children do not like seeing someone bullied, yet less than 20 percent try to stop it. 

The program’s intention is to help students find their “voice” and speak up in situations that involve bullying. The past 20 years have seen an escalation of bullying prevention programs using numerous techniques with limited long-term success. Traditionally, anti-bullying programs have centered their efforts on the target and/or the bully. Studies now show that effective anti-bully programs should focus on the role of the “bystander.” 

“I hope that students truly understand the effects that bullying takes on all students,” said McBride. 

McBride added students learned how important it is to stand up for students who are being bullied, and she hopes that every student that participated in the “Be THE Voice” program will utilize the strategies emphasized in the videos and stand up for other students that are being bullied.

When “bystanders” intervene on behalf of the target, they successfully defuse the bullying situation more than 50 percent of the time. Bullies love an audience. If students just observe bullying behavior and do nothing about it, then they end of silently giving their support to the bully. 

The over-arching message of the potential and responsibility of the “bystander” came through in the students’ reactions to the program. 

Amariah Everett said, “If someone is getting bullied, I can do something to help.”

“I need to be there for someone that is being bullied,” said Karma Washington. 

Rebekah Slaughter said, “It only takes one person to stand up and make a difference.”

“Standing up can make someone else feel good about themselves,” Sha’kiyah Walker said. 

Students expressed themselves artistically in response to the program. The top five students who were voted on by teachers to have the best pictures were recognized in sixth and seventh grades: sixth grade — Rebekah Slaughter, Sha’Kiyah Walker, Karma Washington, Amariah Everett, Jamazia Wilson and seventh grade — Amani Curry, Shaniya Anderson, Janiya Bacon, Aci’re Golden, Jamiya Herring.