Champion of Choice Anti-Bullying program
ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Bullying is a hot topic across the country. Many organizations are making it their mission to raise awareness and to teach kids the effects bullying has on each other.
This morning, Shrivers Pharmacy sponsored an anti-bullying program at Secrest Auditorium called the Champion of Choices. Former WWE wrestler Marc Mero talked to the students from several area middle schools about the importance of stopping bullying. Mero said bullying is getting worse as time goes on and technology grows.
“It’s a different world today. You know, when I was in school, you know, you kind of knew who the school bully was you stayed away from that guy or girl. And then when you went home from school it ended. But today’s a different story,” said Mero. “We see kids that are being bullied 24/7 with social media and the internet. And it just leads to kids to have, you know, suicidal thoughts.”
A Zanesville native and former NBA player also stopped by to surprise the kids. Kevin Martin said he cancelled appointments and flew in this morning just to be with the kids that are from the same area he’s from.
“I think anytime you get an opportunity to be able to touch kids in our area in a positive way it’s really important. So for me when Jessica and Shrivers called me about, you know, speaking at this event, I felt like it was something that I couldn’t turn down,” said Martin.
Both men said it’s important for parents to talk to their kids about bullying whether their child is being bullied or is the bully. They said conversations need to happen to prevent more children from taking their lives because of bullying and so kids understand the long term effects bullying has on people.
“I think that if you plant it into their minds that bullying is not cool that a lot of them can change and be bigger than themselves because, you know, later on in life they’re going to realize nobody wants to be around a bully,” said Martin. “And that could also hinder their job opportunities and things like that. So you want them to get that in their minds now.”
