2008 - Secondary - Runner-up - Watson

Everyone gets bullied one way or another. There are many ways to get bullied, too. Someone can tease you by the way you look, your background, your accent, or what you do, say or wear. I could go on and on. Anyone can be a bully, even some sweet little kid. Your siblings, classmates, friends, or even strangers can all be bullies. Someone could say something hurtful about you and not even know. All you have to do is tell them how you feel and they will understand. When a bully is making fun of you or hurting you constantly, just get up and say something like this: "Hey, I do NOT like it when you call me that. Just stop, okay?" Try to say something like that and be strong with your words; say it in a firm, steady voice. Be strong! Let them know how you feel. When you do that, the bully will think, 'Whoa, he/she just stood up to me, she/he is tough. I shouldn’t bother him/her anymore.' Believe me, they will think that.

I know what it feels like to be teased — I have two older brothers. It’s tough. My mom always says, "Don’t listen to them; what they’re saying is not true." But it is hard to ignore them. What most bullies say to you is not true; they just say it over and over again and make you believe it. Don’t believe it! When my bothers tease me I just cannot handle it, so I go in my room and let out a cry.

My mom walks in and asks, "What’s wrong?"

I usually say in a depressed voice, "Ask my brother." So, my mom calls my brother in and tells me to tell him how I feel. I am glad my mom always made me tell my brother how I feel because now I know how to stand up for myself and others, too.

At school, one boy in my grade used to get teased a lot. I felt so horrible just letting it happen. So one time I tried to help. This happened when we were in 3rd grade and someone found out that he still slept with a night light on. Everyone was laughing at him. I felt horrible for him, so I said, "So what! I still sleep with a night light. What’s the big deal?" Then everyone realized that it doesn’t matter if someone sleeps with a nightlight. Everyone stopped laughing and got back to work. I felt good about what I did, and he was happy too. So, if you have the chance to stand up for someone, take that chance. Stand up for your peers, your elders, and even for strangers. Be strong and stand up for yourself, too. Help the world become a nicer place to live in, and stop bullying once and for all!