Valdosta Youth Council seeks anti-bullying campaign

Published 9:00 am Saturday, March 12, 2016

One of the 2015-2016 initiatives of the Valdosta Youth Council, made up of middle-school students under the direction of Mayor John Gayle, is to create an anti-bullying campaign for local city, county and private schools.

Bullying threatens the physical and emotional safety of students at school and can negatively impact their ability to learn. The unwanted, aggressive behavior includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically, verbally or through use of technology, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. 

The best way to address bullying is to stop it before it starts.

Valdosta Youth Council members sought the help of Valdosta Police Department Det. Sabrina Smith, who spoke at our Jan. 21 meeting to share several things we can do to help prevent bullying. The VYC will begin anti-bullying efforts this year by communicating this initiative with our school principals.  

We will request their support for some practical ways to address the issue, such as a student survey, posters, educating students and staff, a pep rally, student peer groups, etc. and seek their approval to host an anti-bullying rally in the schools during Anti-Bullying Month in October 2016.

Valdosta Youth Council members will be sharing anti-bullying information at the City of Valdosta’s booth at the March 12-13 Azalea Festival, in Drexel Park. We also have several other projects we are working on being a positive influence in our community.

We may be young, but together we have a voice. 

If we turn that voice into action, we can make a difference in our classrooms, in our homes, and most importantly within ourselves.  

Follow our efforts on the Valdosta Youth Council Facebook page or at www.valdostacity.com/valdosta-youth-council. 

Our efforts will require the support of the entire community.  Help us make a difference.

2015-2016 Valdosta Youth Council: Amelia Barnett, Rachel Carter, Drew Correll, Dante’ Echols, Matthew Hall, Charlesie Hammond, Jalith Harding, Makayla Jackson, Keria Jones, Erin Kelly, Zion Leggett, Abbi Long, Tay Ramsey and Christy Williams.