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Guest speaker sheds light on bullying for freshman class

Nationally recognized speaker Tory Grant spoke to an attentative group of freshmna in the Auditorium about bullying. (Julio Munoz photo)

Freshmen year, for many kids, is a new start. A new building and an opportunity to befriend students from other middle schools in the area. It’s the beginning of memorable high school moments. But for some students, it can very well be a hell they have difficulty getting out of. A bigger school to them only means more kids, and more potential bullying.

Bullying has long been a subject touched on by students and teachers alike. It’s a growing problem, and worse, it can often lead to depression or suicide. That’s why the school invited Tory Grant, to talk to the freshmen class about the dangers of bullying.

“He taught us about self respect, how to treat others, and to take life seriously and not take it as a joke,” freshmen Donald Young said.

There were nearly 1,800 freshmen present at the meeting and Grant kept the auditorium alive by making students laugh while addressing important issues about his life and bullying.

“It was good and understandable,” freshmen Le’Diamond Burns said. “I liked it because I’ve been through some of the stuff he’s talking about and it helped me become a better person.”

Grant also stressed that it is important for the freshmen to understand when they can learn to use their voice to help people instead of hurting them.

“If I can get you to just think that, as a freshmen right now, because you got something we don’t have, you have time,” Grant said.

Grant not only talked about important actions and steps the students could, but also addressed teachers and how they can help stop bullying.

“The basic thing is to confront it,“ Grant said, “kids need someone that will step up and say, hey I believe in you.”

Grant has been to many schools and all over the country, but even he had never seen so many students.

“This school is amazing, I’ve never been to Duncanville before,” Grant said, “for 1,800 ninth graders to sit and listen to an hour and ten minute speech ,that says a lot, the character is there, the ability is there.”

After the main presentation, Grant took extra time out to speak to a large group of Academy kids to give a bit of extra support and motivation.

“He opened up his mind and heart just to speak to us,” freshmen Hector Medina said. “That really meant a lot to us.”

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