Pink Shirt Day Empowers Youth

Pink Shirt Day Empowers Youth

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

Pink Shirt Day was all about lifting and empowering students. St. Mary’s School in Vegreville was no exception as 200 junior and senior high students listened to the powerful anti-bullying message.

Ken Podoborozny, Town of Vegreville Peace Officer, along with Michelle Henderson, with MK Presentations, and McKenna Makowecki, with the Mental Health Capacity Building Program, made the joint presentation to the students on Feb. 26.

The presentation covered the types of bullying, which can be physical, emotional and verbal. They spoke about the importance of reporting bullying and talking to a peer, a friend, their parents, caregiver, or minister about it.

They also talked about the effects of living in a day in age when everyone is attached to their electronics which are plugged in 24/7, 365 days a week. They spoke about the ‘Key Board Warriors’ who are on the internet, who are texting on the phone, who are posting pictures and writing on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, as well as YouTube.

They discussed some of the consequences bullying can have on perpetrators i.e. suspension or expulsion from school, future employment, possible criminal code charges and a permanent criminal record if convicted, and how parents could be held accountable for their actions and potentially be sued in civil court.

Grade 8 student Jorja Pidwerbeski said, “It’s very good to know that bullying is bad. It shouldn’t happen to people.” She said if she knew a friend was being bullied she would support them by being with them and their family, and to try figure things out.

Students at St. Mary’s showed their support for Pink Shirt Day by wearing pink t-shirts and pants on Feb. 26. Principal Jim Salsbury, standing on far right, along with Presenters Ken Podoborozny, (next to Salsbury), Michelle Henderson, (next to Podoborozny) and McKenna Makowecki (kneeling on the far left), took part in the group photo after the presentation.

Kacie Kisilevich, also in Grade 8, said she enjoys being involved in Pink Shirt Day which gives students a chance to talk about bullying and share their feelings. She said to tell someone if you’re being bullied and if it’s hard to do, to give enough easy clues that someone could pick them up, and help them. As far as information from the presentation, Kisilevich said, “I realized that girls are victims of bullying more on social media, and that’s probably because men see girls as more gullible.” She said they should try to stop bullying if they see it happening. “We should always treat everyone with respect. No one deserves to be treated badly.”

Principal Jim Salsbury said Pink Shirt Day is a way of bringing the issue to the forefront, but said people should be kind and accepting of others despite what challenges they may have, and to let people who are being bullied know they not alone.

Salsbury said Pink Shirt Day also opens the door to greater communication with family, neighbors and other people in the community who are an extension of the school family. He emphasized the importance of listening, caring and supporting people who are in need. He went onto say that bullying is not just about the actions, but sometimes about how it (bullying) made a person feel, and to value those emotions. He also pointed out that the school has several programs and resources available to students who need assistance.