Published by KSBW Action News 8
Oct. 28, 2013
Article by May Chow
Web article: https://www.ksbw.com/article/country-singer-lizzie-sider-talks-bullying-at-hollister-salinas-schools/1052806
SALINAS, Calif. — October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, but many say the epidemic needs more attention.
According to the National Association of School Psychologists, bullying is the most common form of violence in American society with more than 3 million kids falling victim each year.
Monday, students at Lincoln School in Salinas and R.O. Hardin Elementary School in Hollister spent their morning learning what a bully is and what to do if they're a victim.
They heard from 15-year-old country singer Lizzie Sider, who shared her experiences of being bullied in school.
Sider, who is from Florida, wrote the song "Butterfly" about overcoming bullies and told students that they have the power to stop bullying.
"She talked about how bullying needs to be stopped and how it happened to her as a kid, and how you can stand up for other people and yourself," said Lincoln School third-grader Enzo Cimoli.
"It doesn't matter if you're scared. Good for you to speak up once and for all. It will make you feel better, as well," said Allison McMurray, a fifth-grader.
"What Lizzie said, nobody can ruin your day," said third-grader April Cervantes. "No bully can ruin your day."
Sider was named by Country Music Association Close-Up Magazine as one of the "new artists to watch in 2013."
She toured 80 schools in California to promote National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.