Bisons against bullying
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This article was published 04/12/2017 (3091 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Athletes at the University of Manitoba are stepping out of the gym and into the classroom to bring an important message to students across the city.
On Nov. 27, Bison Sports and the University of Manitoba Athletes Council (UMAC) dropped by Gladstone School (500 Gertrude Ave.) and gave its 200th presentation of the Bisons Against Bullying program since 2006.
The program was started over 10 years ago by former Bisons hockey player Jordan Little and the athletes council with a goal of educating students in Grades 4 to 6 about what bullying can look like, who can be a bully, and ways students can put a stop to bullying in their schools.
According to Bison Sports, over 14,500 students have heard the message.
Karissa Kirkup, co-chair of the anti-bullying program and a forward with the women’s hockey team, has been doing the presentation for three years and said kids tend to have a lot of fun hanging out with the Bisons while also learning about the effects of bullying.
“When kids are brave enough to say they are a bully, or have seen it or have been a victim, I really appreciate them being honest,” Kirkup said. “Or especially after if they come up to you and say ‘I don’t want to be a bully anymore,’ that’s probably one of the best things for me.”
This year over 15 student-athletes are involved in bringing the anti-bullying message to schools and prior to visiting Gladstone, the Bisons spoke to students at Principal Sparling School, Greenway School, Weston School, and Earl Grey School.
Jonah Wasylak, a forward with the men’s hockey team, got involved in the program this year and was frank with students at Gladstone explaining how he had been bullied while growing up.
“I think it’s a pretty prevalent issue and every kid goes through it whether directly or indirectly,” Wasylak said. “I think it’s a good thing to shed light on for the kids and help them out.”