Kirkwood High group campaigns for more tolerance, less bullying
by Jean Abernathy
Council for Unity, a diverse group of high school students, is focusing this year on teaching elementary-school students not to be victims of bullies.
No one should feel victimized by a bully, says Rachel Shrout, a senior at Kirkwood High School.
That is why Rachel and other members of the school's Council for Unity are focusing this year on teaching elementary-school students not to be victims and not to be bullies.
The Council for Unity is a diverse group of high-school students committed to promoting tolerance and respect for others. In the past, they have focused on racial harmony.
This year, they are dedicated to reducing, if not eliminating, bullying and teasing.
Before working with students at the elementary schools, the high school group spent the day observing and working with Suellen Fried, a national advocate for children.
Fried wrote "Bullies and Victims" and taught the high-school students how to talk and listen to elementary-school children.
"Kids are in such terrible pain," Fried told the students. "The level of malevolence in this society has been raised on what you can do and say."
In her book, Fried estimates that American schools are home to more than two million bullies and about three million victims.
No school is immune, she says.
The students in Council for Unity absorbed Fried's message.
"Kids don't realize they have a lot of power," Rachel said. "Witnesses (to bullying) are important. The bully is trying to please the witnesses, and they need to stand up and say, 'That's not right.'"
High school students easily relate to the younger students, says Jeff Merritt, a freshman.
"Since they are close to our age, I think they will respect us and listen to us," he said.
Freshman Sara Cottler said that almost every teen has been bullied and can identify with the younger students.
The Council for Unity began in New York City. The Kirkwood High School chapter is one of the few chapters outside of New York.
"Being a member of the Council for Unity changed me," Jeff said. "I wasn't really mean before, but now I respect others a lot more than I used to."
Jeff says he joined the group to help promote school spirit and unity through communication and respect.
Targeting bullies and verbal abuse fits with promoting respect, says senior Sally Massey. "If people respect each other, they won't pick on each other," she said.
"We want people to respect differences in others: ethnicity, religion, cultures, sexual preference," she said.
The group represents the school, Sara says. "It is open to everyone," she said. "We have people of all different races, religions and cultures."
Sara says she has learned to be less judgmental since joining the group.
Junior Adonica Radford says her attitudes have changed as well. "I can really see a difference," she said.
"I'm more understanding, even though people outside the council can still be kind of rude," she said.
The Council for Unity is sponsored by Kirkwood teachers Leigh Kieffer and Chrstine Corley.
