Come Inspire Us

Although I already turned in my junior theme I have still continued to research and begun the first steps of advocating for my topic.  In my essay I interviewed Kirk Smalley, Smalley tragically lost his son Ty at the age of eleven to Bullying, as Smalley says, "two years of being bullied was just too much for him (Ty)".  Smalley is now an advocate and started the organization "Stand for the Silent" who’s mission is to "spread the message 'I AM SOMEBODY.'" For they believe that "each human being has a valuable contribution to make in the world and deserves to feel loved, included, and treated with respect". Another way Smalley has been an activist is through his role in the documentary 'Bully' a movie that "takes us on a journey inside the real lives of young people who day-in and day-out are tormented by bullies... Hirsch (producer) gives voice to the voiceless, and his movie dispels forever the myth that "kids-will-be-kids" and bullying is a harmless rite of passage...” A huge part of Smalleys advocacy consists of him traveling to schools throughout the US.  The Documentary ‘Bully’ highlights Smalleys actions in a powerful way: 

*Start the video at 1:28

The video depicts masses of people coming together for a single cause.  Smalley has currently reached over 635,000 children through his presentations.  As one student posted on SFTS website after hearing Smalley presentation "I get bullied all the time...It really hurts and you have just inspired me and taught me that I am somebody! I can make a change!”  If only New Trier kids could feel the same way.... but wait, what if they could?  I think Smalleys presentation would be highly beneficial to the students and community of New Trier.   I think the Names program is awesome and should continue but I believe Smalleys presentation would be a great addition.  Smalleys presentation would be necessary because it sends a message of 'I am somebody' and in a school like New Trier it is VERY easy to forget that.  New Trier provides an environment that is highly competitive which often results in stress and failure; failure to make a team, to possess the right grades, scores and fit in with peers.  On top of that the obsessive use of technology at New Trier often result in cyber bullying via face book, text, twitter etc.  I'm currently working on the linguistics with the Mrs. Gamrath the junior and senior girls advisor chair.  Hopefully Kirk Smalley will come and inspire the New Trier community.