Student leaders learn to spot bullies

LEWISTON, N.Y. (WIVB) - Hundreds of local middle students learned about the harmful effects of bullying at Niagara University on Thursday.

When these kids go back to their home schools, they'll be "bullying experts." Over 200 students from Niagara and Orleans counties spent the day learning about every facet of bullying.

Niagara University Assistant Dean Patti Wrobel said, "Research will tell you that bullying is prominent in the middle schools, so we thought we'd start there. All of the students here today have been picked by their districts, and described as 'leaders' in their respective schools. Our whole focus today, the topic is to actually 'Be a buddy, not a bully.'"

The kids got a firsthand look at the emotional and physical consequences through former bullying victim, John Curtin.

"Ever since then, I've had a speech impairment - stuttering," he told them.

Workshops focused on cyber-bullying, body language, and character-building taught the kids how to recognize bullying - and how to protect themselves, and their peers.

Graduate assistant Ryan Coram said, "Right at that age, if they can be advocates for both themselves and for other students, it's perfect. Because you can have an adult talk to a student about bullying, but if a student talks to a student about bullying - that's authentic. That's real."

Curtin added, "The way I explained it to them was, they are the players on the field; they are first responders, to see when it happens."

Finally, the students were asked to come up with their own bullying taglines and videos, for their schools to use in anti-bullying programs.

Student Lilly Williams said, "We're all going to be holding hands. And we're just going to be like, 'Why can't we all just be friends?' Because being a friend is the best way to prevent bullying."