BOARDMAN, Ohio - Bullying survival and prevention was the focus of a day-long program in Boardman.
The featured speaker was a best selling author and celebrated anti-bullying activist whose work has been recognized by hundreds of federal and state organizations.
Jodee Blanco says from the fifth grade through high school she cried herself to sleep every night because of the torment she suffered from severe bullying. "I was a kid who was the outcast, I didn't fit in, for the same reasons today's kids don't, simply for being different, Blanco said.
Because she openly shares the nightmare of her school days, Blanco says her story connects with the students. "I let them see my suffering. I literally relive my past with my student audiences and there's a connection there," Blanco said.
Superintendent Frank Lazzeri says while Boardman Schools have long had programs to deal with bullying, they felt Blanco's presentation would be uniquely beneficial
"She does have a riveting personal story and the children were focused, had great questions afterwards and she taught the kids not withdraw within themselves," Lazzeri said.
In her best selling book, Stop Laughing At Me, Blanco offers insights from thousands of bullied students she has worked with and addresses the misconceptions of bullying.
"Bullying is not an act of cruelty as much as it is a cry for help," Blanco said. "And until we can start treating the bullies with compassion and not just the victims, we're going to continue to have an escalating issue in our schools."
Blanco addresses all aspects of bullying including those associated with today's social networking and the damage it can do.
"My primary message to kids is that it's not just joking around, bullying damages you for life," Blanco said.
Because she knows how she was damaged, Blanco also works with adult survivors of peer abuse.
