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DeJean Middle School Students Lead Anti-Bullying March to City Hall
This year, students chose to highlight the Anti-Defamation League’s No Place for Hate initiative and led peers and community members in an anti-bullying march to Richmond City Hall.
“The Red Ribbon Rally really shows how we care about our school and community, and how we want bullying and drugs to end,” 8th grade leadership student Karla Valle said. “It doesn’t matter how many students attend, as long as we raise awareness.”
Students marched the seven blocks from the campus to Civic Center Plaza displaying “Stomp out Bullying” signs decorated with signatures from students who pledged to support anti-bullying in their community. Many students also wore red ribbon stickers to represent people they know are victims of bullying.
Deandre Smith, a 7th grader, encouraged onlookers to do more than hunk their horns to support their cause.
“I really enjoyed walking [to city hall], but it’s more than just a march. I don’t know what the community can do, but they should do something,” Smith said.
Treneshia Hill, rally volunteer and mother of DeJean 8th grader, Kylyah Hill, said it is important that parents pay attention to their children and support the awareness rallies.
“I’ve seen a lot of kids who’ve been hurt by bullying or have hurt someone or themselves as a result of bullying, so it’s really good to have this march,” Hall said. “It’s hard out here, and I’d rather be a part of these events to help put a stop to potential bullying before it even starts.”
Terrance Cheung, Richmond Mayor Tom Butt’s Chief of Staff, along with staff members David Gray and Alex Knox, presented a Mayoral Certificate of Excellence to the students for their efforts to bring awareness to the city of Richmond.
“Nobody should live in fear of intimidation, especially in our schools, so it’s awesome that the kids are bringing this up and raising more awareness about it,” Cheung said.
DeJean Principal William McGee said the rally and march show student leadership efforts at the school and support from the community are on the rise.
“Our student leadership team really pulled it together, with little direction,” McGee said. “The culture here has really improved and the students are responding, and now the community sees what we are doing and everyone’s buying in.”