10/05/2026
As the President of the Dutrow Elementary School PTA I'm wearing blue today to stand in solidarity with David A Dutrow Elementary School and the campaign launched by STOMP Out Bullying during National Bullying Prevention Month and World Bullying Prevention Month globally. 💙
My story: In 7th grade, I moved to Parkville, Maryland. I was bullied by an 8th grader and some of his friends.
I still remember the panic, the tears, and eventually the rage because I just wanted them to stop intimidating me. I felt overwhelmed by fear and reached a point where, unfortunately, I decided to take matters into my own hands and fortunately I was caught right when I was about to retaliate.
Eventually, through conversations mediated by our guidance counselor, the young boy and I learned that we were dealing with some very similar issues. That experience changed the way I understood what had happened between us.
While it wasn't the last time I experienced someone deciding that I would be an easy person to pick on. I learned firsthand that being bullied can produce a tremendous amount of insecurity, fear, anger, and even desperation.
Not everyone who is bullied will respond the way I did; some children fight back, some withdraw, some suffer silently. And unfortunately, children who bully others may not realize just how deeply their actions are affecting another person—or that their bullying can ultimately put more than one life at risk.
Today, I stand for peace and unity. I believe in having honest and, when necessary, mediated conversations about our differences—even if those conversations become heated, end in disagreement, or simply result in us choosing to walk away from one another.
Violence is very rarely the proper response to bullying. Please listen, Bullying is a real threat to our mental, relational, and physical health. I am grateful that someone intervened before my fear and anger led me to make a decision that could have changed multiple lives forever.
Sometimes, a child doesn't need someone to tell them to "toughen up." They need someone to see what's happening, step in, and help make it stop.
Wear blue. Stand up for one another. 💙
