By Jill Sperling

Kamloops students take a stand against bullying on Pink Shirt Day

Feb 27, 2019 | 4:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — Every year, schools across the globe participate in an anti-bullying campaign called Pink Shirt Day. 

The origins of the day go back to 2007, when a Grade 9 boy in Nova Scotia was bullied for wearing pink. 

In an act of solidarity and compassion, other students distributed pink shirts to all the boys in the school, taking a stand against bullying. 

Today, students in Kamloops wore pink to carry on the tradition and carry on the anti-bullying movement. 

Amid a sea of pink at Lloyd George Elementary, there was a message of kindness and respect. 

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“Anyone can wear what they want without being judged,” said Grade 7 student Persephone Burgess. “And, it’s not okay to judge someone based on what they want to look like in public.” 

“Everyone is equal, and everyone’s pretty much the same in their own different ways, and no one should be treated differently for how they look or for how they are,” said Grade 7 student Julia Steiger. 

Students across the Kamloops-Thompson School District are taking a stand against bullying, wearing pink shirts as a sign of their stance. 

“We want safe spaces for all of our young people and for all of our employees as well,” said School District 73 Superintendent Alison Sidow. “So, we wear a pink shirt just to remind us that this is important not only for our students but for our whole entire community.”

In the digital era, children and teens are bombarded with negative messages through social media or texts. 

“You never really know unless the person (speaks up about) it,” said Grade 7 student Huxley Wendland. “Most of the time they don’t, so I think that proves a new problem for people.” 

Lloyd George principal Alain Blais says students are speaking up, helping educators find solutions. 

“We’re more aware of it now that students are reporting it more so that we can deal with it more, which is great because we want to stop it,” Blais said.

Elsewhere, Twin Rivers Education Centre recognized Pink Shirt Day with its annual Wellness Fair. 

“The wellness fair coincides with Pink Shirt Day because what we know is that if students are feeling good about themselves they’re less likely to get into bullying behaviour,” said Principal Kent Brewer. “So we’re connected to close to 50 community agencies through our adult and alternate programs.” 

During the Wellness Fair, students connected with some of those agencies. 

“From the Sexual Assault Counselling Centre to the Brain Injury (Association), all of these agencies step in when a child needs additional support and so we rely on them extensively, and are really appreciative for their support,” Sidow said.

While these services exist  to prevent harm, bullying still exists, making Pink Shirt Day a necessary event for hurting students. 

“I’ve experienced bullying as a kid, but Pink Shirt Day just gave me more confidence,” said student Amelia Billy. “It just gave me more confidence to go out and be myself around people I don’t even know.”