Domeier’s 8th-graders find novel enlightening

LEARNING EXPERIENCE — Among NRHEG 8th-graders who read the novel, “The Revealers,” included, from left, Bayli Possin, Nicole Edon, Aaron Seath, Abby Wacholz, Torrie Stenzel, Brody Hansen and instructor Mark Domeier. (Star Eagle photo by Jessica Lutgens)

By JESSICA LUTGENS

Contributing Writer

Bullying is an issue that sometimes gets overlooked, especially in school. Sure, teachers or parents who witness bullying will step in and stop it. But what about the bullying that happens when adults aren’t around, such as outside of school or on the Internet? What happens to the kids who are being bullied and feel as if they can’t do anything to stop it? How does it feel to be bullied? 

More and more adults are becoming aware that bullying is a serious issue. It’s more than just “kids being kids.” Bullying hurts, physically and emotionally, and people are reaching out to students and teachers to teach them about bullying and, hopefully, help prevent it.

Mark Domeier’s NRHEG eighth-grade class recently finished reading The Revealers, a book about bullying. Six students were interviewed about the book and bullying itself, and their answers proved to be interesting and will hopefully help gain an insight on what the issue is really like.

The number one thing students seemed to have learned from the book is that bullying is most definitely an issue. It’s hurtful, and it should be stopped whenever possible.

When asked if they had ever been bullied, every student said that it had happened to them at least once. “It felt like I didn’t matter,” one student remarked. “Like I was lower in life.” 

“I do think programs like this will help stop bullying,” another student said. “People will start to realize that stuff like this goes on and it is worse than they think.”

“Most kids just ignore bullying instead of doing something to help,” said eighth-grader Torrie Stencel. “Programs like this bring bullying to light so it will happen less often.”

One of the biggest problems with bullying today is the Internet. With Web sites like Facebook and Twitter, it’s so easy to insult someone and never even have to see their face. People can hide behind computer screens and bring others down, and there isn’t much to do to stop it. 

Cyber bullying is one of the hardest kinds to try and prevent, because the Internet will always be here, as well as social networking sites. It’s a whole new, scary world, especially for those affected by bullying.

If more students would stand up to their peers, bullying could potentially be nearly eliminated. But, if a student is being bullied, and everyone else just stands around and watches, the bully wins, and another person is hurt because of it. 

In school, one of the biggest things they try and teach is to be able to work well with others. In order to do that, students must stick up for each other.

The students did have some advice to give to those who have been or are being bullied, though.

“Never give up on yourself,” Abby Wacholz says. “Stand up to the bully. You have a whole life in front of you to explore.”

“If you’re getting bullied by someone, you should tell someone. The best option would be to tell an adult, but if you’re afraid, then tell a friend who could tell an adult for you. You never want a problem to keep getting worse,” stated Stencel.

While those words are definitely true, maybe the best advice comes from Aaron Seath: “If you have been bullied, try to look at positives. If people say you are geeky, be happy that they think you are smart. Always look at the good things.”

Bullying is an issue, but with the help of students like this, along with teachers and parents, we can make it a thing of the past. Kindness matters, and it’s time everyone start showing it. 

And if you’re not sure how to act, or what to say, always remember the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”