Tenth grader and two eighth graders win for their efforts to prevent bullying
The annual Hillsborough County Anti-Bullying Recognition Awards are presented to a young person or group of young people up to age 19 to highlight their efforts to eliminate bullying. During its Oct. 1 meeting, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners honored three winners for their efforts to prevent bullying in the community.
The Individual Anti-Bullying Recognition Award winner was Angelina Sack and the Group Anti-Bullying Recognition Award winners were Alfredo Castenada Martell and Le-Andra Griffin.
A 15-year-old 10th grader at Tampa Preparatory School, Sack created a club called "Encourage NOT Discourage," where she and other students met biweekly to discuss cyberbullying statistics and foster a community of like-minded students committed to spreading awareness. To reach as many students as possible, she also set up a table before school to promote the club and offer students the opportunity to sign a pledge stating, "I PLEDGE to discourage cyberbullying at Tampa Prep." Additionally, Sack created a YouTube video featuring statistics about cyberbullying, which was accessible through a QR code in the hallways.
While attending the Boys & Girls Club, Martell and Griffin participated in the "Think Big for Kids Program." The program required them to create a hypothetical technology application and then present it to a group of peers. The two eighth-graders from Webb Middle School created an anti-bullying application concept to anonymously report bullying issues. The application also provides educational resources for children who commit acts of bullying so that they may better understand the impact of their behaviors. In addition, they wanted the app to be free so that all young people can easily access these resources.
The Board also presented a proclamation declaring Oct. 1 as RCMA Day, honoring the hard work of the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, a nonprofit organization that provides child care and education, particularly to rural and farming communities across Florida.
Interested in all the details about the latest BOCC meeting? Here is a full recap.
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