Perry High School students are taking a stand during National Bullying Prevention Month. The high school’s Interact Club, which is locally sponsored by the Perry Rotary Club, came out in full force this week to greet students and hand out swag during the Be The Voice launch day.
Be The Voice, a peer-led, video-based, anti-bullying program has been growing in schools across Georgia. The Perry High School launch is the first program of its kind in Middle Georgia. The program was developed in 2015 by the Roswell Rotary Club as a way to better manage bullying in schools and as a way to give back to the community as Rotarians.
The program is facilitated through high school Interact Clubs, which are high school-based youth Rotary Clubs. The clubs plan weeks ahead by enlisting different student groups to record a short video clip that is added to a 2-3 minute video that encourages positivity in the face of negativity. Videos teach students how to manage bullying by ignoring the bully and being a voice for the victim. Different videos will air each week over a 12-week period and be shown to the entire student body.
High school teacher and Interact Club advisor, Angie Smith, said the Be The Voice videos resonate with her as a mom and a teacher. “I have been sharing this message with the kids in each of my classes. I love the fact that the program is unique with its focus on the bystander. In any given situation, if you are neither the bully nor the victim… you are a bystander.” Smith says it makes sense to focus on the bystanders because that’s where we have the real opportunity to make a positive change.” Smith has challenged students to be on the look out for situations in which they can Be The Voice of kindness, compassion, and inclusion, and report back to her.
Perry Rotary Club President, George Peake, was at the early morning launch and says the Perry Rotary Club is dedicated to helping change the local community and world for good. “Our club was excited to sponsor and be a part of Perry High School’s stand against bullying.” Peake says, “This Rotary Interact Club has shown great leadership and they are demonstrating unbelievable servant attitudes with their efforts here today.”
