Students embrace anti-bullying messages
John Gray student Danielle Waugh with her project
(CNS Local Life): The anti-bullying STOOD UP Fair took place Saturday, 21 October 2017 attracting dozens of students from across Grand Cayman. Aimed at encouraging children and youth to be creative in exploring ways they can address bullying, the fair featured student booths showcasing their anti-bullying projects.
Students from primary and secondary schools participated in one of the two age categories. Amongst the schools taking part were Clifton Hunter High School, John Gray High School, Grace Christian Academy, Triple C School, George Town Primary and Red Bay Primary School. Projects covered verbal, social and physical bullying along with cyberbullying, stated a government press release.
The event also showcased booths from the Department of Counselling Services, Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, the YMCA and Rotary Sunshine Club of Grand Cayman promoting their anti-bullying resources.
Four judges evaluated each entry, asking contestants to make short presentations about their projects. The judges also assessed participants’ projects based on quality and originality, the anti-bullying theme, educational value and students’ explanation of their entry.
One of the projects that proved particularly popular was an anti-bullying video by 11-year-old Jelani Hanson. “I saw a poster promoting the STOOD UP Fair in class and it grabbed my attention,” he said. “A representative from the Family Resource Centre came to our school and shared information about anti-bullying initiatives. I had many ideas but they were far too stereotypical, and I wanted my project to stand out. I really wanted to do a video, as I felt that this was a better medium to promote the anti-bullying message.”
First-, second- and third-place winners, respectively, in the 10-12 category were Hanson, Paige Prendergast, and Antaneya Baptist and Manila Matos-Ebanks. In the 13-16 category, Ashley-Jade Peharie, Shante Ramoon and Jevon Stewart came first, second and third, respectively. First-place winners won HP laptops, second-place contestants got tablets and third-place entries earned a $100 Kings Sports Centre gift certificate (10-12) or a $100 gift card for Camana Bay (13-16).
The event, which was planned by the DCS’ Family Resource Centre (FRC) in partnership with Hurley’s Media, Rotary Sunrise, Dart and local author Paul Schreiner, was held at the Arts and Recreation Centre in Camana Bay.
“We were pleased with the turnout,” said FRC acting programmes coordinator Charmaine Miller. “Participants who had developed their projects were very imaginative and were passionate about them. As part of Anti-Bullying Month, we wanted students to actively participate in finding ways they and their peers can help prevent these anti-social behaviours.
“This is the first STOOD UP Fair and we are very encouraged by the positive feedback we received from all those students who participated.”
Category: Schools
