A GIRL IN THE HALL ON THE FRONT LINE TO STOP BULLYING

Jonna at her school's Anti-Bullying Petition Signing

After this Girls in the Hall post  back in April, where we first discovered the fantastic organization Pacer Center's Teens Against Bullying, we spoke with Julie Hertzog at the Pacer Center about interviewing a teen who has played a role in the movement to stop bullying in our schools. Girls in the hall, meet Jonna. She is on the Pacer Center's Teen Advisory Council, and even started an anti-bullying movement in her school. Jonna epitomizes what Girls in the Hall is all about. To sum it up, she rocks. Here's our interview:

First Name: Jonna
Age:13
City, State: Chaska, MN

What does Pacer Center's Teens Against Bullying do and what inspired you to join up with them?
Our goal at Pacer Center Teens Against Bullying is to end bullying everywhere.  When Pacer had a meeting up at the MN capital, I went with my mom. ( I have a little sister with special needs)  I was the only kid that went so they asked me to speak.  After I told them how I was trying to change things at my school because I want to make things better before my sister gets to  middle school,  some  people gave me their cards with their contact information.  One of the people who gave me their card was Julie Herzog.  She asked if I would be intrested in joining the Teens Against Bullying advisory council.

What would you say to girls out there reading this who are victims of bullying?
That bullying is not cool!  That they are not alone.  That it happens to more kids than they realize.  That I have been bullied, too. That my advice to you is to tell someone and have them help you talk to the person who is bullying you.  They can also go to the website www.teensagainstbullying.org for some ideas.

Some Girls in the Hall have emailed us to say that they want to stand up against bullies at their schools, but are afraid of what could happen to them. What do you think are the best ways for girls to take a stand against bullying at their schools? What should a girl do who is friends with a bully? 

I think you need to tell a parent, counselor or principal and have them help you. You have to stand up for what you believe in and what is right.  I think that when you stand up for something you believe in that most people respect you for taking a stand.  Get your friends involved, too.  Your true friends will back you up and support you.  If you have a friend that is a bully, you need to confront them and tell them to stop.  If they won't stop then I wouldn't hang out with them anymore.

We heard that you did a petition signing campaign at your school. Could you tell us about the petition and how you did it? Was it hard?
Well the first Teens Against Bullying meeting I went to  we could bring a petition for the Students to sign at our school. So the Monday of the awarness week all the Home rooms did a anti-bullying activity.So every morning on the announcements we would say a fact about bullying.  Then at lunch students would sign the petition to end bullying. I got about 230 signutures. After they would sign the petition they would get a little dye-cut that they would get to put their name on it and then we would hang the dye-cut in the front window of our school.  It was not too hard and kids were really willing to sign it.

What suggestions do you have of ways girls can take a stand in their communities, like you did in yours?
Well I think they should talk to a student coucil advisor, counselor or principal and try to get things started in your school.  Get involved.  Stand up for what you believe in and stand for others if you see it happening to them.

Since online bullying is a new terror to many teens in our country, what tips do you have on how to combat it? Don't get involved with it! If you get a bad email or text then tell an adult.  Don't participate it any of it.  Be careful who you give your information to. 


How can Girls in the Hall get involved with Pacer Center's Teens Against Bullying?
Contact someone who works with pacer and tell them that you want to get involved or visit www.teensagainstbullying.org.

Are there any other things that Girls in the Hall should know about bullying and how to help end it? Bullying can be teasing, name calling, starting rumors about someone, hitting, pushing, shoving.  It can be anything that is mean spirited to a person.  But you can put an end to it.  If you are against bullying then do something about it.  Talk to your school and try to get something started.  If you get one person to stop bullying you can change someones life.

Want to get involved in your community with anti-bullying movement? Become one of Pacer Center's Teens Against Bullying or email us at girlsinthehallblog@gmail.com. Girls in the Hall hearts the Pacer Center and will continue to post updates on activities with them  and how you can get involved.