Banners proclaiming “Stop Bullying” and chants encouraging others to stop acts of intimidation echoed across the St. Croix Educational Complex High School campus Saturday during the first Anti-Bullying Fun Day.
The Anti-Bullying Fun Day was designed to get youngsters to take a stand against bullying in school. Many adults also supported the cause; the event was organized by the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Crime Prevention Bureau, the St. Croix Career & Technical Education Center, American Legion Post 102, Christian Men Retreat Fellowship Ministries and the Virgin Islands Chapter Tuskegee Airmen Inc.
Officer Edith Christopher, anti-bullying fun-day coordinator, said the event was one of the steps needed to bring awareness to the community about the issue of bullying in public and private schools in the territory.
She said the event showed how kids can have fun without bullying.
“There are many children attending school who are being bullied or bullying others,” Christopher said.
She said VIPD visited nine schools in the territory to inform kids about bullying. After conducting a survey within the schools, Christopher said bullying is a problem in both private and public schools in the territory.
There are many signs of a child being bullied in school, Christopher said. The most noticeable one is a child begging his or her parents to stay home.
Christopher said bystanders encourage the bullying by not standing up for what is right and what is wrong.
Christopher said Officer Vincia Gomes came up with the idea of the anti-bullying coordinator position.
Sgt. Isaac Porter, a member of the Crime Prevention Bureau, said although this is the first fun-day for anti-bullying, he hopes there is one every year.
“Police officers are committed towards ending bullying,” Porter said.
He said the event was funded by St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association.
The fun-day began with an anti-bullying march from Plaza Extra West and ended in front of the St. Croix Educational Complex track and field. About 80 individuals chanted and urged passers-by take stand against bullying.
After the participants walked during the sunny afternoon, they were greeted by my vendors who sold drinks and food. Occasional rain did not stop the youngsters from playing games such as soccer and tennis. U-No Entertainment and Party Rentals provided a bouncer, and the Virgin Islands National Guard also had a bouncer shaped like an obstacle course. Music was provided.
Some of the students who took part in the fun-day represented the Alfredo Andrews Elementary School, St. Croix Central High School, the University of the Virgin Islands and Juanita Gardens Elementary School.
William Coles of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources was the crowd-pleaser with his archery game. Coles also teaches the art to students at St. Croix Central High School and the Manor School.
Akeel Phillips came to the Anti-Bullying Fun Day because he wanted to help support the cause and volunteer his time by helping the kids with the games. He admitted he was a bully when he attended the Charles H. Emanuel Elementary School.
“I think bullying needs to stop, it’s a new year,” Phillips said.
He said in elementary school, bullying was simply teasing or asking someone for their lunch money. Phillips said now it is leading to major problems, up to and including suicide.
Janelle Thomas said she came out to support anti-gay bullying. She said some of her friends are gay and actually left the Virgin Islands because they felt they would not be accepted by others. She said they could not be themselves while living in the V.I.
Thomas liked the idea of the kids promoting positivity towards a negative subject. She also said, as a mother of two, she hoped parents are seeing the signs of their kids being bullied or bullying others.
In 2009, Thomas was shocked after she had heard the news of 11-year-old Jaheem Herrera, a native of St. Croix, who committed suicide after being bullied by his classmates while living in the states.
“I cried after I heard what had happened to Jaheem,” Thomas said.
Ivanna Hynson attended the fun-day after she saw a posting at her workplace. She came out in force to support the cause by bringing along her family and friends.
“I know bullying is wrong, but people will do what they want to do,” Hynson said.
Deandre Willy, an 8-year-old, said his teacher told him what bullying means.
“I think bullying somebody is wrong and I won’t do it to anyone,” Willy said.
The day ended with a double-dutch, domino and track and field competition.
