Our Lady of Sorrows School

Second BOSS Student Business Competition kick-off of the day!  I went across town to Our Lady of Sorrows Middle School where I got busy helping students begin to form new product ideas for NIKE.

Wanna see behind the scenes? Check out some of the ideas starting to form...

Our Lady of Martyrs School

This morning I was at Our Lady of Martyrs Middle School in Forest Hills, NY to kick-start their BOSS Student Business Competition.  Over 2 hours I guided students as they began to develop the next big product for a national brand.  Our team will be back in about 4 weeks to see them present, looking for the team with the strongest demonstration of innovation, communication and market understanding.  I saw two of my favorite ideas come out of this school, so I've got high hopes for this one!

'Bully' Film Premier and Talk Back in Rochester

I want to marry this film.

This being said, imagine my reaction when WXXI Rochester invited me to be a panel specialist for the talk-back held immediately following the film 'Bully' at it's sold-out Rochester premier at The Little Theater.  The panel was lead by news team reporter and All Things Considered host Helen Biandudi and allowed audience members to share their reactions to the film and seek guidance on issues of bullying within their own communities.

I'll keep this one short, since you'd be best served to watch the entire post-show discussion below!



Thank you to WXXI's Helen Biandudi, Dr. James Colt, Aly Belknap, Karrie Formicola and all the participating audience members for making this such a success. I also want to thank Lee Hirsch, as the film was even better the second time.

St. Rose of Lima Middle School

Yet another Project Empower day for me.  Spent the afternoon at St. Rose of Lima for a coaching kick-off session for the BOSS Student Business Competition!  We spent nearly 2 hours together talking about how to design and market a new product for a major national brand.  The students were on a roll...best of luck to everyone!!

Staten Island United Veterans Organization Gala

I'm a sucker for an American hero.  Tonight I joined the United Staten Island Veterans Organization for their annual "Evening of Honor" Awards Ceremony to honor the men and women who have served in our military from the Staten Island community.

I had the privilege of performing the National Anthem and joining as a guest for the evening. Recognized at the event was executive director of Staten Island Fleet Week, Vito Gioddie, and local businessman Joseph DeMarco for his exceptional fundraising efforts for the USIVO.  Anthony Fanelli was also announced as the 2012 Grand Marshall for the Staten Island Memorial Day Parade, and Miss USIVO Laren Encarnacion was officiated into duty.

The beauty of tonight's awards was matched by the fun of the entertainment and good company.  Staten Island loves its social life.  My friends in the area attend galas almost nightly.  Before you go writing them off as party animals, take note that every night out is a celebration of a cause, organization, etc. As we toil through the difficulties of school, work, bills, family...we could all use more celebration.  Sometimes we fail to even recognize our own accomplishments as they become clouded by to-do's and workloads.  Communities that come together regularly in this way generate safer environments from bullying and harassment by creating a sense of inclusion.  Now that's something worth celebrating.

Oh, and look who I found!  Miss Richmond County 2012 Stephanie Accardo!  She looks lovely, eh?  Always a pleasure to catch up with the girls.

Ave Maria Catholic Academy

Today I was back to see my friends at Ave Maria Catholic Academy (you may remember them as the winners of our OUTREACH competition this year!)  I kicked off another BOSS Student Business Competition series!  Nearly 500 students got started creating team product designs for NIKE shoes, and we will be back to pick a winner soon.  Best of luck everyone!

Miss New York Orientation

I can't believe that it has been a whole year already. It's been the longest year and yet a flash.  Today was Orientation Workshop for the Miss New York contestants. Been waiting for this one for a while!

We started with the usual - pageant details, schedules, wardrobe requirements, yada yada - and then dove into the fun information: First, that we are bringing back the Mr. New York Pageant!!  The ladies will be recruiting fine young gents to represent them in our favorite annual fundraiser!!  Swim trunks, baritone serenades, tuxedos...it'll all be there. Then came a curveball.  Ken Nelson, the Scholarship Director, called me to the front for what seemed to be the sole purpose of making me blush as he explained his pride in what I had accomplished this year.  Stating that there were no material objects the Board of Directors could offer that I needed (I would argue that a rent check would do, but I see his point,) the words that followed brought my hands shooting up to cover my gaping mouth: the Miss New York Organization has created a anti-bullying scholarship in my name.  Cue the water works. I am overwhelmed, humbled, and borderline in shock over this. Every year I will return to select a student from New York who has made an exceptional difference in the field of anti-bullying, able to honor them onstage and award them a scholarship to pursue their education. What can I even say?  I've wanted nothing more than to make a difference this year in the lives of others. To think that impact will be an annual thing trumps all the material wealth I could have imagined. Toss this one up on the list of reasons why I am so wildly indebted to this organization.

Now came an exciting announcement on my end.  This year, Project Empower has been the vehicle for my passion and impact.  It earned me a Quality of Life nomination, got me hands-on with thousands of students, gave me leadership experience as a development strategist and organization leader, and helped me walk the walk when it came to impacting youth. Today I announced that Project Empower has set up a partnership opportunity for the next Miss New York. Pending her interest, we will be offering her the chance to become a leading figure and utilize the platform we have built in order to spread her message into schools state-wide. Best of all, this partnership is not just for Miss New York.  I am inviting all the local titleholders from across the state to become regional advocates. They are welcome to take our programs and use our team to reach schools in their area. My hope is to help women of this organization forever have a way to advocate and lead, as these are the two elements of this role that I find most important.

After the ladies strutted their stuff for a swimsuit work session (brave, right?) I got some one-on-one time with them. Sorry friends, but this girl talk was private! The ladies were incredibly quiet and left me worried (my worst fear is leaving them uninspired or dis-impassioned.)  But as they split off for talent run-through time I had nearly every contestant pull me aside for a private conversation. As if I couldn't be more touched by this day, I found myself having back-to-back conversations in stairwell corners about everything from fears to fiery passions, platform ideas to organizational overhauls, and all the many dreams and emotions in between that these ladies are bringing to their fight for this job.  New York, we are lucky. After every conversation I was thinking, "There she is!" Each so wildly different in what they want to bring to this title! That is what Miss New York is about; not daddy's credit card and expensive dresses, but the opportunity to share the depths of ones impact through a one year job. Thank you to all of this year's titleholders who are seeking this for what you can offer the title, rather than what the title can offer you.

Just like last year, I have basically no pictures from the day.  There was far too much to focus on.  The clock is ticking now. Excuse me while I go pretend that this is never going to end.

Partnering with 'End To Cyberbullying'

It's the start of something great!!  End to Cyber Bullying Organization is an internationally recognized program founded by the below team of Long Island high school students. Yup, international! Pretty impressive group, eh? We will be working together to further our joint mission of providing education and prevention related to online harassment.  Follow them on twitter for tons of useful facts and tips every day on how to prevent cyber bullying!

Dancing With the Stars in California

Well hello, west coast. I've been in Hollywood, California this week for a reunion with my Miss America sisters! Noelle Freeman, Miss California, invited as many girls as she could fit in a van for a family vacation in Hollywood.

Joining on the trip was Miss Arizona Jennifer Sedler, Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson, Miss Washington Brittany Henry, Miss North Carolina Haley Best and Miss Mississippi Mary Margaret Roark.

The featured event was visiting Dancing With the Stars! Mark Ballas invited us to join him and the cast during Rock Week. We chilled with the cast at House of Blues, Executive Chef Francis Dimitrius treated us to a custom lunch at Villa Blanca, received a private tour of The Magic Castle, scarfed down Sprinkles cupcakes, saw the sights, visited the beaches and even went to...wait for it...Disneyland (hope you sang it as you read it) where Noelle booked us a reservation at the exclusive Club 33. Add countless hours of girl talk you've got yourself a dandy vacation.

Hey, we even made the paper!  While this trip was arranged for our personal reasons, being together meant we were representing our state titles and the Miss America Organization the entire week. Just because I don't have my sash on does not mean I'm no longer Miss New York.


The point is that the public needs to see the moments outside of the platforms and crowns: We still eat cupcakes and climb into kiddie rides. We still get nervous when you take our picture. We still turn to one another sheepishly on the way out the door to ask if we look alright.  We're still discovering ourselves and navigating friendships. But we are friends based deeply in respect for one another's commitment to self and community. That's the stuff of sisters. So go find your Miss America sisters; women who inspire and push you to be better, and refuse to see you do anything less than smile along the way. You don't need a crown to be that for someone.

Miss Long Island

The season finale is here!!  Tonight I played producer at the Miss Long Island Metropolis Pageant where 3 women will win the final spots in the Miss New York class of 2012.  In his first year as a director, Matthew Ambrisio brought together an all-star set of contestants and sponsors that made today quite a red carpet event. Sponsors included CoverFX foundation, whose products I utilized at Miss America.

The competition was fierce. Rightfully so, considering this is the last shot to earn a title for 2012. Finally the results came...

Congratulations to Miss Southern New York 2012, Miss Long Island Metropolis 2012 and Miss Westchester 2012...Mikhaila Leinbach, Daphaney Jacquitte and Katie Guevarra!!!

Best of luck to the ladies in their year ahead!  All three women will represent their platforms and soon join me on the Miss New York stage.

It's done. The new Miss New York is somewhere in our Class of 2012.  Think you know who?  We shall see!

Speaker for Brockport's "Keep The Peace" Day

Students in Brockport, NY took half a day to come together in honor of something they wanted so badly to bring alive in their school: peace. I joined as a guest speaker for Brockport High School's "Peace Day" assembly. This event was created and run by students. The effect of anti-bullying events becomes wildly potent when they are developed from the eyes of those who live within the issue. 

I presented to two assemblies alongside Keith Jones of Soul Touchin' Experiences.  The day also included group activities and games which brought students together through discovering one another in new ways. After the events, Keith and I joined the Keep The Peace Committee - organized by and entirely comprised of students - as they shared advise with students from a neighboring school on how to organize an anti-bullying/peace program.

It was a day of trying new things. A day of walking in someone else's shoes (or crown.)  Keith spoke about focusing on what people can do rather than what they cannot. My sister's lack of ability to communicate through written language has made her a gifted artist, able to communicate powerfully through images. We are all more than what can be seen.  

More impressive was the conversation held after the day was done. The students' advice to their neighboring school's peers was nearly verbatim the lessons I've learned launching Project Empower. At this point I was watching proof of my theory that leadership is a muscle that meerly needs to be engaged and grown like any other. Standing around me were young adults - many soon to graduate - already discovering their potential to impact. On my walk home every day I read a quote on a wall, saying, "The world was not built in a day, but rather is built every single day."  There is nothing more exciting than the realization that you are now participating in the ongoing construction of a thing we no longer have to accept as-is.  It can be improved, changed and grown. Congratulations to all those who act upon their potential to make an impact. It is never too early.

West Valley Central School

Great day at West Valley Central School discussing bullying!  I met with 3-5th graders to talk about how to become a leader and write a positive life story, then sat down with the 8th grade ladies for some girl time.

During my talk with the girls we spent time discussing friendship, fitting in, handling negativity and, of course, rumors. Telling lies about someone can certainly bring that person down, but does nothing to move the rumor-initiator upward.  We are often tempted in our youth to damage or bring down someone else in order to make them the "weird" one, therefore allocating ourselves as the "normal" or "right" alternative.  The failure in this is that there is no such thing as "right," only endless difference.  A rumor is also easy to spread but difficult to undo, which we learned once in an episode of The Office...ah, but I digress.  The point is that there is no point to rumors. They accomplish nothing except pain for the victim.  Just remember: no one can talk behind your back unless you are ahead of them.

Calkins Road Middle School

Thank you to students and staff at Calkins Road Middle School for letting me speak with you about bullying and positive choices!  Located in my home town of Pittsford, Calkins is the new middle school where many of my former teachers are now working.

Today we focused on the difference between bullying and leadership.  If bullying is gaining power through negative choices, then the opposite of that - power through positive choices - is leadership.  We discussed ways that students could take on leadership among their peers, including standing up for each other.

Funny story: The older gentleman (and by that, I merely mean non-student) pictured with me earlier in the blog is Principal Reinhart, formerly Assistant Principal at my old school. He has a longstanding tradition of doing a cameo in the school musical.  During my 8th grade year I was playing Winifred in 'Once Upon a Mattress'.  In my initial entrance I was coming out of the castle moat, so each night my dress would soak in a tub and I would hop into it right before my entrance.  A water bottle was poured in my mouth so I could comically spew it across the stage.  Each night, Mr. Reinhart would enter as the "castle janitor" and mop the water up as audience chuckled to see him dressed in medieval garb. No lines, no dance moves, just his presence got them laughing. One night, as he finished wiping the spit-water and went to exit, I grabbed my dress...and wrang it out onto the floor.  Mr. Reinhart turned at the sound of the splash and, upon seeing the newly made puddle, looked quickly at the awaiting audience and then at me.  "You missed a spot," I said with a cocky grin.  The audience roared, as they were all parents and students who knew Mr. Reinhart well.  He gave me a you-little-punk look and shuffled back over to wipe it.  Ever the class clown, I stepped over stage left and gave my dress another wring.  We soon had an act that brought the show to a stand-still as I squeezed my dress for every drop I could as we all laughed.  I guess the moral here is to seize the moment, and never be afraid to go off-script and do a little improv in life.

Dansville School

Thank you to students at Dansville School for a powerful assembly about bullying and leadership! I spoke with students about the impact they can make by taking control of their lives and choices, and how students are already changing our state through the new legislation.

Prior to the assembly, I sat down with the student council to hear about their anti-bullying campaign already underway throughout the school. I was given a "Stop The Hate, Spread The Hope" shirt designed by one of the students. This is a wildly ambitious group!

Dansville administrators showed me their online student concern form, explaining that this allows all students to safely report any problems their experience. Students can even report how it affected their feelings or any behavioral changes they've had in response. Eliminating the word "bullying" from behavior reporting systems brings in higher report rates, which puts Dansville on the cutting edge of digital safety.

Check it! Big thank you to my beautiful new friend who gave me these gorgeous custom bracelets!!  Something about this makes me know that students in Dansville feel safe to share their unique selves. So glad  to be part of this family.

Barker Road Middle School

Today I spoke at my home middle school, Barker Road.  6th, 7th and 8th grades joined me for assemblies to discuss my journey and how to work together to end bullying.  After my assembly I had the pleasure of meeting the Barker Blue Bandits, a student anti-bullying group, that I spoke with about the power that can come from a single voice.

Thank you to everyone for an incredible homecoming!!! (Pictures coming soon...once I recover my memory card!)

Many of you know the story of when I locked myself in my bathroom after being harassed online, threatening to burn my face rather than return to school. Mr. Wahl was the teacher my mom called in the middle of the night to talk me down, and was introducing me today for the assemblies. Who knows whether he remembers that odd call almost a decade ago, right? Surprise: he did. He shared the story with students to help them understand the connection I have with this issue. When he turned over the mic he hugged me in a way that felt blissfully familiar (8th grade, Annie Get Your Gun, beginning of Act II on my final performance night...remember, Mr. Wahl?) Every child deserves a Mr. Wahl in their life; an educator who enables a student to stand tall in the face of bullying by having already made them familiar with the depth of their value and potential as a member of this world. Thank you to every educator who has gone above and beyond by being a trusted adult to the students in your life.  You have no idea what kind of an impact you might have on the course of their future.

Miss Greater Rochester and Miss Upstate New York

After an overnight car ride I woke up upstate. It was time to see who would represent my home town at this year's Miss New York competition. Upstate, you now have two new women serving your community and possibly bringing another state win to the Rochester area...

Congratulations to....Miss Greater Rochester 2012 Nina Dasuvuli and Miss Upstate New York 2012 Rayna Reid!!

Good luck to both ladies as their journey begins!! A huge thank you to outgoing titleholder Chelsea Prophet who made Rochester proud with her performance at Miss New York this past summer. I know Nina and Rayna will both make the 585 just as proud.

And I truly hope, as a true Upstate/Rochester girl would, that both ladies shoveled down giant garbage plates post-pageant. The P-Hots kind.

Miss Bronx and Miss NYU

Today was the Miss Bronx pageant at Mercy College in Westchester.  This one was fun, because I got to play director. From walk patterns to talent rehearsals to serving as emcee, this was my first time on the other side of a pageant.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome your newest 2012 titleholders...Miss Bronx 2012 Nardeen Billan and Miss New York University 2012 Jessica Johnson!! Good luck to both women as they begin their year and their journey to the Miss New York stage this summer!


The hardest part of being at the local pageants right now is that I know there are a limited number of titles left (5 to be exact.)  There are more than five women left in the competition circuit who deserve to join us at the state level.  I wish the best to all the contestants, and hope you remember that you do not need a crown to begin acting upon your potential.  Be a Miss America, even if you never win a crown.

'Bully' Film Premier in NYC

Tonight, I had the privilege of attending the New York City premier of the new documentary film 'Bully'.  Senator Klein invited me to join for the screening, which took place at the Angelika Film Center in Soho.  Director Lee Hirsch and Producer Cynthia Lowen joined for a post-screening talk back to discuss the film with audience members.

After following this film project for so long, I was beyond thrilled to see it hit the public. My verdict: a truly socially responsible and catalytic piece.

'Bully' covers nearly every angle of how this issue effects lives, and does so with tremendous respect.  Hirsch explained that the film was shot on small cameras with no giant lights and huge equipment.  Over time, the students and teachers in the project began to forget that the camera was there.  You will be amazed at the honesty that was captured. The audience's reactions were audible throughout the film and we bonded through the cinematic journey. I had the chance to ask Lee about the film's original efforts to become a one-stop show for all major anti-bullying resources. You will be happy to know that this is still a priority for the film team.  The entire audience, having bonded in our journey through the films' stories, was alive with conversation even as we left the theater.

If you are a parent, see this film to remember the pain you once knew and to realize what may be hiding behind your child's silence.  If you are a student, see this film to realize the severity of what is happening to your peers. What may appear small in school might be ruining the entire future of a family.  If you are neither parent nor child, see this film to remember the precious nature of life.  Remind yourself of the powerful role you play as a member of society and how vital it is to understand those who are different.

Thank you to the team of 'Bully' for creating such a vital tool in this fight. I have no doubt that this film will empower millions to become part of the conversation around this issue.  To audiences everywhere: see the film, if for no other reason than to support the creation of such culturally intelligent media.

St. Mary's Academy

Yet another morning spent kicking off a Project Empower BOSS Student Business Competition at St. Mary's Academy!  Another group of students began their journey as the new designers of a hot product and marketing plan for a top national brand.  Can't wait to see their work!!

NYU Volunteer Recruiting Seminar with Project Empower

We've teamed up with Stern Cares to bring Project Empower volunteer opportunities to students at New York University. Stern Cares is a student-run organization that promotes social entrepreneurship and student volunteerism.  We are welcoming them to serve as mentors, coaches and judges for our middle school business competitions this spring.  It's a perfect match!

Project Empower is all about developing leadership.  Our hands-on mentoring opportunities allow our volunteers to flex their own leadership muscles while contributing their unique talents as business minds to the community outside their University. Thanks to the many students who signed up, as well as the clubs that have come on board as official partners!  We are excited to give your community service a whole new level of depth!!

If you have a student organization that would like to get involved with leading our programs in schools, contact me at kaitlinmonte@proempower.org and we'll talk!

Tuckahoe Common School

Thank you to my friends at Tuckahoe Common School for letting me come in and speak with students about bullying and leadership! 


 After an assembly with the middle school students, I traveled to individual classrooms to speak with grades K-5 about their views on bringing peace into their school.

In each class I mentioned that I fought against bullying, then asked if they had ever heard of bullying before. I let them tell me everything they knew. Then, I simply asked one question: "So what should we do."The ideas poured. When you offer open ears you can open mouths and minds. Feelings of control trigger senses of responsibility for said control, so we should regularly seek chances to put young minds in control for the sake of stretching their leadership and ownership muscles.

A special thank you to Michael, my escort for the day!  He's a great student, on the bowling team, an excellent fisherman, and an all around sweetheart.  Ladies of Southampton, beware! 

St. Joachim and Anne School

Today I was at St. Joachim and Anne Academy to kick-off another series of Project Empower BOSS competitions.  Students will design a new product and marketing plan for a major corporation.  Good luck to everyone with your ideas, I love them!!

P.S.  As I left, school was getting out.  Students gave me funny looks as I joined them to walk to the bus stop.  Before I knew it, 100 little faces surrounded me asking, "Where's your limo? Do you live in a mansion? Is your butler nice?"  Laughing, I explained that - despite my title - my daily life is incredibly normal.  I take public transit, just like them.  I don't even own a car.  My apartment is 600 square feet and half a mile from the closest train stop, so my day starts and ends with a good workout (no matter the weather.) But hey, you do not need to own a lot to mean a lot to the world. 

Coming May 6th...

Can't wait to work with Tada! Youth Theater!  The best in New York's Off-Broadway youth shows, click the flyer or visit their website to learn more about our 

Anti-Bullying Panel coming up in May!

Host for the Sweepers Pageant

They call if Pageant Palooza. It comes once a year. Today I played emcee for the New York Sweeper Pageant.

Six titles were awarded over the course of two back-to-back pageants today. This one's a marathon, since the women who do not take a title in the first show go immediately into a second pageant to try for the next set of titles. What is unique about the sweepers is that instead of an Executive Director to manage the winners, each girl is given a mentor. Our six mentors are all former Miss America state titleholders who have gone through every step of the experience. As you can imagine, this opportunity was one worth fighting for and that was evident in the performances today.

First were the Big Apple titles, and the winners are...

Please welcome Miss Manhattan 2012 Katie Berry, Miss Metropolitan 2012 Shannon Oliver and Miss New York City 2012 Mallory Hagan!!

Next came the "County Queen" titles, meaning each girl can select her own title based on the community or region of the state she wishes to represent. And the results...

Ladies and Gentlement, say hello to Miss Gotham City 2012 Acacia Courtney, Miss Verranzano 2012 Christina Moore, and Miss Western New York 2012 Jesse Ladeau!!

Congratulations to all the winners and best of luck to each of them as they begin their journey as representatives of themselves, their communities and their platforms. I know they are in good hands with their mentors and look forward to seeing them this summer at Miss New York 2012! Congratulations to all the contestants, I had an awesome time spending the day with you!

Project Empower at Our Lady of Miracles

Had to jump across town to mentor at yet another BOSS competition, this time at Our Lady of Miracles.  There were some incredible ideas spilling out of these young minds!  Hope to see one of these teams at our finals in June!!

Project Empower at Holy Trinity School

Best of luck to the students at Holy Trinity as they begin their Project Empower BOSS Student Business Competition!  I visited the students to kick off the program and spend an hour mentoring them through the beginning of their projects.  They will spend the next few weeks designing a new product and marketing pitch for a national brand.  Knock 'em dead, guys!!

Monroe County Summit on Call to Action

We've done it, Rochester!  Remember when I met with Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks earlier in the year?  She has walked the walk regarding her interest in taking on bullying.  I attended her press conference on her new County Executive Call To Action (CECTA) anti-bullying plan.

There are seven aspects to the Monroe County plan: A pledge, a network, monthly forums, peer-to-peer workshops, youth courts, a hotline and an annual Walk Against Bullying.  You can read the full plan to see the details!

I slipped in just as the program began, having taken a detour from my travels to stop by. My desperate efforts to locate a pen in my over-sized purse were halted at the sound of my title.  Maggie, now making her introduction, was telling the crowd that watching Miss New York present to students in Webster this fall was the first time she had heard students speak candidly about this issue.  She said it was then that she realized the true importance of this issue among our youth and began her work on the new program.  Several more times thoughout the night I heard my name mentioned.  This was not a formality, as I was not part of the panel or presentation, and there's really no need to explain the depth of the honor I felt to hear them crediting me as part of this.

In all my travels, this is the most comprehensive anti-bullying program I had ever seen. By coming at this issue from all community angles, Monroe County has built a recipe for anti-bullying success. I am truly impressed with the depth of this program.

There were two moments that touched me the most during the event.  First, the cry of students as they ask for "nothing about us without us" as a request to be respected as valuiable contributors in this process.  Then, a simple saying: Children are 30% of the population, 100% of the future.  Yeah...just let that one soak in.

To Maggie Brooks, I want to say thank you.  Inspiring true and effective action is exactly what I aimed to accomplish with my year.  Thank you for giving me a minute of your time all those months ago to bring a beauty queen into your office, and then truly hearing what I had to say.  You are honoring the voices of thousands of teens and children with this policy.  Thank you for taking real action.  Thank you for the respect you give to the next generation. That this is happening in my own home town is the greatest gift for which I could ever ask.

Webb Schools

High up in the gorgeous Adirondack Mountains, I had a beautiful afternoon at Webb Central School talking with students about bullying. 

My escort today was a young man named Brandon, who recently held an anti-bullying poster contest as a lead-in to my assembly today.  Vibrant art covered the gym walls with illustrations in support of anti-bullying, peace and acceptance.  I held assemblies with k-5th grade and then 6-12th, and Brandon announced the winners.  Best of all was that, with each name called, the rest of the students cheered them on.  My heart melted at the sound of peer-to-peer support.

One brave kindergartner came over to me personally too for some ideas on how to handle a bullying peer in his class.  As we talked, his tiny peers joined one by one until we were having a full class conversation about feeling safe in school.

At the end of the day, Brandon presented me with one of the school's Stood Up Bullying Pledge shirts.  STAND Up Day is an incredible program that gets students involved to anti-bullying from an empowered angle.  You can understand by reading the back of the shirt, which says, "Today I have an obligation. No longer will I be silent if you need help. Silence is participation. I refuse to participate in the problem. We're all different but we all deserve respect. If you need help, come to me. If I think you need help, I'm getting involved. I got your back. Signed," at which point I promptly threw my sharpie to the fabric and scribbled my name.  All of today's winners signed my shirt, too.  This statement and mission is one of the best I have seen in terms of making students clearly understand the role they play in the solution.  Every word of this shirt is everything I have been teaching all year.

Thanks to the students and staff for a great day, and to Adirondak Express for the great article!