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Take a Stand – Standing Up Against
Bullying
Every day, hundreds of thousands of children begin their day dreading
going to school because they are teased, harassed and physically and
emotionally abused by bullies. Often, they skip school to avoid the
bullies. Other kids choose to vent their anger and hatred in
unimaginable ways. The violence of Columbine in 1999 and Santee in
2001, seems to have been rooted in bullying. In 2001, the American
Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry reported that as many as half
of all children are bullied at some time during their school years.
And yet, many parents and school administrators deny that bullying is
an issue in their schools. Even worse, they believe it’s just a
harmless part of growing up. I have chosen my platform because I can
offer personal testimony regarding the dangerous and destructive
nature of bullying. I feel a responsibility to educate adults about
the causes and consequences of bullying, and to educate adults and
children about how to “Take a Stand” against it. |
Click here for a printable resume. |
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Since 2001, a number of states have passed laws dealing with
bullying. Currently, Texas does not require schools to have bullying
prevention programs. A school only is required to provide a program
if there are instances of bullying reported. However, because victims
and witnesses are often afraid to speak up and many parents and
teachers do not take this problem seriously, school administrators are
often unaware that this is an issue in their school. As Miss
Burleson’s Outstanding Teen, I would continue my efforts to educate
the public regarding the issue. Using the influence of the title and
the Miss Texas Organization, I would work with legislators to ensure
that all schools have bullying prevention programs that provide
education regarding this issue, promote good character and an
environment of tolerance, and establish rules for acceptable behavior
and consequences for violations. On a national level, I would draw
media attention to existing research that supports my belief that
bullying can be a warning sign for other serious, negative behaviors.
Pageant titleholders are often viewed as young women who are sailing
through their teen years, without experiencing truly difficult
problems while growing up. I can use my personal experiences with
this issue to show that Miss Burleson’s Outstanding Teen is someone
that kids can relate to because she can relate to them. Bullying is
not a problem that is unique to our country. It is a universal
problem that children everywhere deal with every day. I want to be
the catalyst for a change that begins in Texas, continues across the
nation, and could truly make a difference in the lives and education
of children around the world.
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