In an impressive display of unity and dedication, Yokota Middle School in western Tokyo organized a special event to commemorate Anti-Bullying Awareness Month. The event, a first-of-its-kind group walk, drew a crowd of approximately 320 students and teachers, highlighting the school's commitment to eradicating bullying within its community.
Participants from Yokota Middle School congregated on a Thursday at a nearby high school's track, each carrying anti-bullying signs bearing impactful messages such as "Be-friend, don't offend" and "Boo bullying." Adorned in the colors of autumn leaves, they made a powerful statement against bullying. Some of the signs even featured images of the infamous movie bully, Biff Tannen from "Back to the Future."
The choice of the color orange held special significance, as it is closely linked with the awareness campaign initiated by the National Bullying Prevention Center. This campaign, observed nationwide every October, aims to raise awareness about bullying and promote anti-bullying efforts. Yokota Middle School's event was not an isolated occurrence; similar anti-bullying initiatives occurred this month at other military installations, including Edgren Middle High School at Misawa Air Base, Japan.
The driving force behind this meaningful event was Yokota Middle School counselor, Wallace Bennett. He conceived the idea for an outdoor gathering this year as a means to make the anti-bullying message more memorable. Bennett expressed, "I wanted to do something a little bit different, something we haven't done before." His innovative approach and dedication to the cause were evident in the success of the event.
The event's program included engaging sketches performed as radio plays over the school's public address system. These plays were enacted by 11 theater students who skillfully portrayed various bullying scenarios. Eliseia Avila, a sixth-grader, shared her experience, stating, "I am one of the main characters, Susie, and played one of the bullies. Lauren - we used to be friends - but one day we had soccer tryouts, and she made the team, and I didn't, and I got really mad." The event was a testament to the students' commitment to addressing the issue of bullying in their school.
Yokota Middle School's theater teacher, Jackie Rebok, played a crucial role in the event's success. She expressed her satisfaction, saying, "I think it went really well. Everyone wearing orange was fantastic, all the posters that people had were great, and a lot of the kids seemed to like it. When you have fun with it, it becomes more meaningful. And everyone coming together as a community is so important."
During the event, Guilitte Martineau, a sixth-grader, highlighted the importance of addressing bullying. She emphasized that while a small amount of bullying does occur on school buses and near lockers, the school is actively teaching students not to engage in such behavior. Martineau suggested, "The first thing you should probably ask yourself is why you bully; what's the reason? And then try to find something that you could do to stop it, like maybe finding something that makes you happy, like a hobby."
It is crucial to understand that there is no single cause behind school-age bullying. The Department of Education acknowledges that various factors from individual, family, peer, school, and community sources can put a child at risk of being involved in bullying.
One eighth-grader, Tatum Christensen, aptly summed up the significance of the event, saying, "Bullying is a horrible thing. It is one thing that many people have to go through, and so it's good to be aware of it and why we shouldn't do it."
The need to address bullying is not limited to the school community; it extends to concerned parents as well. A survey by the Pew Research Center in 2022 revealed that nearly three-quarters of parents expressed concern about their children being bullied, which was an increase from 2015.
While Yokota Middle School may not face significant challenges with bullying, Principal Hilary Simmons emphasized the importance of proactively addressing any issues that may arise. The school's dedication to promoting a safe and inclusive environment is evident in their commitment to anti-bullying initiatives.
In conclusion, Yokota Middle School's Anti-Bullying Awareness Walk stands as a shining example of a community's determination to combat bullying. This event showcases the school's commitment to creating a safe and nurturing environment for its students, where they can learn and grow without the fear of bullying. It is a testament to the power of unity and education in addressing this important issue.