A 17-year-old Hanover High School student wrote a few songs and some short scenes for a school project last October. More than a year later, Zachary Terrazas’ small project is a full-fledged musical and will be performed at Hanover High School in Pennsylvania on Jan. 12 and 13.
After Zachary held workshop performances of his anti-bullying musical, “The Victim,” in August at the Gettysburg Community Theater, he was given the opportunity to bring his work closer to home.
“I’m really excited about doing it in my hometown,” he said.
“The Victim” shows the cycle of bullying through scenes and music written and co-directed by Zachary.
The anti-bullying musical, “The Victim” will be performed Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. at Hanover High
School Auditorium, 401 Moul Ave. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased online in advance at http://www.gettysburgcommunitytheatre.org or by calling 717-334-2692. For more information on the musical, visit
victimthemusical.weebly.com.
Zachary said he hopes that his work will inspire the audience to stand up for people who are being bullied and to understand that their words have power.
“Think before you speak,” he said. “Make sure you’re not causing pain.”
“What we’re trying to do is give as many opportunities for people to come see it, to get to watch it, to get a feel for what the musical is and the message behind it,” Zachary said.
Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition, an organization working to have state officials pass the Pennsylvania Safe School Act. According to the Pennsylvania Safe School Act website, the act would make Pennsylvania schools safer by addressing issues involving bullying, cyberbullying and harassment.
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Scorpio:
Daily Overview for January 08, 2013
Overview
A difficult person will not be as difficult as usual if you approach them with a rational argument. Also stay positive about it, because assuming they will be stubborn or refuse to listen will only make matters worse. They could surprise you with their reaction!
Bullying May Be Linked to Mental Disorders, with children MORE LIKELY than other kids to BE BULLIES.
“Much research probing the link between bullying and mental health has focused on how being bullied contributes to the development of issues like anxiety and depression. But a new study suggests the relationship goes both ways, finding that boys and girls with mental health disorders are three times more likely to be the bully.” SOURCE.
But what type of mental disorders were identified?
Depression, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, apparently.
Here’s the Scoop:
Children with mental health disorders are more likely than other kids to be bullies, a new study finds.
The study, “Association Between Mental Health Disorders and Bullying in the United States Among Children Aged 6 to 17 Years,” was conducted by Dr. Frances Turcotte-Benedict, a Brown University masters of public health student and a fellow at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence. She and her colleagues used data provided by the parents and guardians of children ages 6 to 17 as part of the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health, which included nearly 64,000 children.
In 2007, approximately 15 percent of the children were identified as bullies, and that children with mental health disorders were three times more likely than their peers to bully other children.
“There is a larger story behind why children bully,” said Dr. Turcotte-Benedict, a Brown University masters of public health student and a fellow at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence. “And part of that story may include the diagnosis of a mental health disorder.”
It is well-established that victims of bullying are at increased risk for mental health illness and suicide, but few studies have examined the mental health status of bullies.
Depression was associated with a three-fold increased risk of being a bully, while a diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder increased the risk six times.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder. That disorder, which affects between 1 percent and 16 percent of school-age children, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, is characterized by many of the traits that are associated with bullying, such as aggression.
Turcotte-Benedict said the new study emphasizes the need for continued research into the complicated link between mental health disorders and bullying in order to improve prevention efforts. “We need to assess bullying prevention programs for their effect on children with mental health disorders,” she said, “and whether psychological support for these children has any impact on bullying behavior.”
1. Boy suspended from Frederick County school for three days after fighting back against another bully.
2. Local News Station decides to do a piece on bullying, and to interview Boy.
3. As the Boy gets ready for his interview, “three boys approached and one began hitting him in the head” [WHAG-TV].
4. Boy runs to get help.
5. Cameras keep rolling.
Warning: The video may piss you off.
Frankly, I am more than just annoyed by this – I am seriously questioning how this happens ON-CAMERA — AND NO ONE CALLS THE POLICE.
The reporter witnessed a crime. She had video of the perpetrators. What should she do? Call Police. Oh wait – give it to the school officials! That’s a GREAT idea.
On the bright side, his MOM sure is happy:
“I’m hoping now that they take this more seriously than what they have,” Cheryl Deener told the station.
Five weeks after posting heartbreaking YouTube plea begging bullies to stop tormenting her, Amanda Todd, 15, was found dead Wednesday night in Coquitlam, Canada. Authorities believe she committed suicide.
Her mother wants her daughter’s anti-cyber-bullying video to be used to help other young people.
“I think the video should be shared and used as an anti-bullying tool. That is what my daughter would have wanted,” Carol Todd, Amanda’s mother, told The Vancouver Sun in a message on Twitter.
View Amanda’s message to the world via YouTube:
Direct from NVEEE:
“Amanda, we are saddened by your death. Such talent. Such beauty. Such a bright soul. Thank you for leaving behind videos to give us a glimpse into your life. Please watch and share this video of Amanda singing. We will pray for your family and friends and ask for strength and guidance in the upcoming days as these will be the toughest moments in their lives.
To all the kids who are bulling others, who are being bullied, and who are watching it happen without saying anything… Just know there is another way. When you think its never going to get better, just know there are organizations and regular people out there who are standing strong for you. We just need to find each other. COME FIND US. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED AND ACCEPTED!!”
1. Bieber’s Twitter account stated he was going to be at a mall in 2009.
(Remember New Kids on the Block/Debbie Gibson Mall Tours circa 1982? Yeah, just like that. They still do that kind of thing.)
2. Too many tweens showed up and safety issues arose (a mall “frenzy” lol).
(Tween: “a girl ages about 9-14…too old for toys, but too young for boys” – Thanks Urban Dictionary!)
3. Police asked his staff to pretty please send a tweet out that the event was cancelled.
(Not too hard, right? But WAIT…THERE’S MORE!)
4. They couldn’t do so because JB’s manager had changed the password to prevent anyone from cancelling the event.
FAIL.
Bieber’s Manager Braun and Def Jam Records executive James Roppo were charged with misdemeanors.
(oh yeah, did I mention that shortly after they were arrested 2 tweets were sent out cancelling the event, it took all of 15 MINUTES for the crowd to vanish?)
The charges were later dropped in a plea agreement that permitted Bieber’s record company and a management company to plead guilty to fire code violations, as well as reimburse Nassau County almost $8,000.
WHICH LEADS TO THE MATTER AT HAND:
The agreement called for Bieber to record the anti-cyberbullying public service announcement video.
I understand the need to learn from one’s mistakes and for them to repay the county for costs associated with their communications failure.
That being said, and after being privy to the facts behind the making of this video, does this change the effectiveness of this PSA?
Let me know your thoughts.
Oh yeah, here’s the PSA.
I’m going to go watch something NOT involving a young boy who eerily reminds me of a blonde VELMA from Scooby Doo in this video…
WATCH the video – LIKE it on YouTube and SHOW YOUR SUPPORT for these kids who created an ANTI-BULLYING FLASHMOB!!
In honour of International Anti-Bullying Day, two schools came together to create a message about Acceptance and challenge others to use social media as a positive tool. Choreographed by Jheric Hizon, Directed by Anita Perel-Panar – A Star Studio Productions.
HOW’S THAT FOR STANDING UP AND SPEAKING OUT CREATIVELY?
I am. Are you? 