Montville High students say no to bullying

Montville - Isaiah Holloway understands how it feels.

Before he grew into a muscular offensive lineman and occasional fullback for the Montville High School football team, Holloway looked like most boys his age.

The 16-year-old who is now known for his crushing hits on a football field was not safe from being bullied on occasion.

"I remember when I was younger, I used to get picked on sometimes. I wasn't as big or strong back then," Holloway said. "(Now) I hear about all the stories about kids that don't want to come to school anymore because they get bullied every day."

On Wednesday, Holloway and other high school peer mediators decided to do something for those kids.

They helped design a pledge event in which students agreed to stop bullying and promote respectful behavior toward their classmates.

By noon on Wednesday, more than 500 students had signed a large canvas in the main foyer of the high school. Their names surrounded a slogan, spelling out in simple block lettering: MHS Steps Up Against Bullying.

Bullying has been a prevalent topic in the school district since Joseph Mendes, a 15-year-old sophomore, committed suicide earlier this year. Facebook posts attributed Mendes' suicide to bullying, although the district has maintained that other factors were involved. Mendes' father also filed notice of his intent to sue the town and the school district for negligence.

Wednesday's event coincided with a state anti-bullying awareness initiative. As students made their way to lunch in three separate waves, mediators called them over and explained how the pledge works. Each student was given a bracelet with an orange bead as a reminder. The school's colors are orange and black.

"This is something everyone can take part in," senior Carlie Cave, 17, said after instructing a handful of students about the pledge. "It's exciting to sign the canvas and have a bracelet. You have something to show for what you've done and what you support."

Talk of raising anti-bullying awareness started in March at a high school "think tank" event attended by various school groups and organizations. Principal Chad Ellis suggested that students become more involved in anti-bullying efforts, and a series of activities was mapped out to address the issue.

The pledge students took Wednesday is similar to a prom promise, in which students agree to abstain from alcohol or drugs on prom night. By taking the pledge, students also agreed to stop or report any instances of unfair treatment that they witness.

Throughout the morning and early afternoon Wednesday, several athletes stopped by and wrote their names and jersey numbers on the canvas. Nearly 50 faculty members added their autographs as well.

Near the end of the final lunch wave, there was little white space left on the canvas. Nearly two-thirds of the student population - approximately 770 - took the pledge.

"What you really need is all the students on board to make a change for the school. It gives them more ownership over the program," school psychologist Deborah Spera said. "A teacher saying it can be powerful, but it's not as powerful as someone saying it who is sitting right next to you."

Holloway added that the pledge event will help spread nice gestures among students throughout the school. The event also appeared to accomplish one thing the organizers had hoped: to keep the bullying conversation going.

"The purpose … is to call attention to the issues and raise awareness," Ellis said. "It lets the kids see other students in the school are actively involved in trying to make the climate better."

jeff.johnson@theday.com