Performers, mom offer anti-bullying message
at Wheaton middle school
January 23, 2012
By Michelle Manchir, TribLocal of the Chicago Tribune reporter
Monroe Middle School Assistant Principal Susan Baldus-Strauss recognized some students who've
overcome obstacles during MWAH!'s presentation at the school on Monday morning.
(photo by Michelle Manchir, TribLocal)
Wheaton, IL — Standing in front of a poster-sized photo of her 15-year-old daughter, Blythe Miller urged Wheaton middle school students to consider the impact bullying words could have on their peers.
Miller shared the story of her daughter, Quincee, a sophomore at Batavia High School who loved art and photography and softball. Quincee committed suicide in October 2010, the result of undiagnosed depression – and being bullied, Miller said.
"Words did hurt," Miller told the students at Monroe Middle School. "And now she's gone forever." Miller, speaking with a performing arts advocacy group of teens for the first time about her daughter's death, said discussing the hard-to-talk-about issue of suicide is the "only way people can learn it's something that can be prevented."
"We want to get the word out." she said. "We don't want any other families to experience what we're experiencing."
Miller's talk supplemented a performance by MWAH!, a group of Illinois teens who tackle sensitive topics like abusive relationships, sexual abuse and bullying through song, dance and skits. It's also an advocacy group intended to influence not only students, but also school administrators and parents who may need a guidance when it comes to handling and resolving bullying situations at school, said Ray Moffitt, the group's founder.
"We try to not only convey messages, but also (cause) a positive change," he said.
Moffitt said he hopes the messages conveyed in MWAH's performances will draw school administrators' attention to a recently implemented Illinois law that allows school boards to expel or suspend students caught cyber bullying, or making threats toward people online.
At Monroe Middle School, students will be invited to talk with teachers about the issues brought up at the assembly, said sixth-grade teacher Lee Prior. She said the call for students and staff to be allies for those bullied, rather than just witnessing it and doing nothing, could be the most important lesson for Monroe students.
"Most kids generally don't get bullied here and don't do the bullying, but when it happens it takes those other kids to step up," Prior said.
Monroe Assistant Principal Susan Baldus-Strauss said the school's goal with the assembly is to be proactive in teaching students to be respectful.
"We want to challenge our students to take ownership of their part in creating a safe and positive environment," Baldus-Strauss said. Moffitt said the group usually does about two performances a month at schools throughout Illinois and surrounding states. The message should sink in with everyone, not just young people, he said. “This assembly was as much for the staff here as it was for the kids," he said.