Librarian launches her own version of 'Defeat the Label'

By MEGAN COOPER

Mt. Pleasant News

Bullying is becoming a problem in schools today and now is the time to do something about it.

According to Brittany Nichols, youth services librarian at the Mt. Pleasant Public Library, some middle-school students in Mt. Pleasant believe that bullying has become more apparent in schools and they want to do something about it.

?I was talking with some middle-school girls and we were talking about things we could do here at the library and one of them mentioned something about bullying, and I was like, ?yeah, we can do that,? and so we kind of ran with it,? Nichols explained.

The bullying program Nichols and the group of 10 (so far) middle-school girls created is based off of the national program called ?Defeat the Label.?

?Defeat the Label? strives to promote an inclusive, judgment-free society by working with schools, parents and students.

?I wanted to connect with middle-school students and that?s exactly what is happening. The group wants to raise awareness about bullying and to show people what they can do,? said Nichols.

The group held its first meeting Tuesday, Jan. 7, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the youth services program room.

?I had the girls create these bags that were called ?warm and fuzzies.? What they had to do was decorate the bag and put their name on it. Then, each time they come in they can write something nice on a piece of paper about someone and put it in their bag. So then if one day, one of them is feeling down, they can look in the bag and see the notes. It will give them that warm, fuzzy feeling they need to boost their mood,? Nichols said.

The group plans on creating t-shirts at the next meeting Tuesday, Jan. 14.

?I will purchase some shirts for the kids and then I will pull out the paint and Clorox sticks and let them create shirts. I like to do that kind of thing, so why not? The intent of the shirt is to defeat stereotypes. They will write a word, or a name on their shirt, like ?nerd? or ?geek? and wear it around school. That way, when they are asked what it means, they can explain and it raises awareness of the group and bullying,? Nichols explained.

Nichols also plans, with the group, creating YouTube videos, going to parades, updating a Facebook status each day with a statistic and updating her quote board with a new, inspirational quote each meeting.

?The entire point of this group is to get together in a safe environment and talk about what they need to talk about,? Nichols said. ?Schools are doing well to try and eliminate bullying, but there are still things on the Internet. I just want to help, and the kids want to help, raise awareness and to teach kids to ask questions and speak up against bullying.?

Other kids are interested and it is open for others to join.

?We have some interest in kids from New London and some boys have expressed interest as well. I just want them to be safe and to have a place to talk. It?s a good group and these kids will know we have their back. It?s also a place for fun and a place to be silly,? Nichols added.

The program is still in the beginning stages, but it hopes to reach as many kids as possible.

?It?s a place to be drama-free and for kids to be themselves,? Nichols said.