Taravella High Students Learn To Break Cycle Of Hate, Bullying

CORAL SPRINGS (CBSMiami) – It's widely understood that name-calling, teasing, and physical abuse will have a negative impact on a student's academic performance and their emotional well-being.

With that in mind, the Anti-Defamation League has developed a program to combat bullying, and, on Wednesday, they brought their campaign to Taravella High School in Coral Springs.

ADL's Assembly 'Names Can Really Hurt Us' is a program that helps to build bridges of understanding within the school community.

"Bullying prevents learning and we want to make sure children are ready to learn," said Lily Medina of Florida's Anti-Defamation League.

A former High School Counselor, Medina said once the program is practiced at schools, you see a real difference in the way teachers and students react when they see bullying happening. "We build empathy," said Medina.

Three other high schools in Broward County have already participated in the special assembly: Boyd Anderson, Deerfield Beach and Northeast. Similar programs have also been held at dozens of Miami Dade schools.

Cutler Bay Academy said that after three years of anti-bullying programs, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League, they have decreased disciplinary problems, stopped fights and nearly eliminated cliques.

At Taravella High School, students began the process of dealing with bullies and their targets.

Students who have been victims of bullying read powerful essays on what they experienced.

Fiorella Lopez said the name calling and torment began in fourth grade.

"They say these things to you and it embeds in your head and the concept of 'you are ugly' and 'you are disgusting'," she remembers. "I really did not feel like I was worth anything.  I felt ugly and started to begin to believe that," Lopez said.

Junior Erin Carragee said she was bullied every day in middle school, teased about her appearance and sexual orientation. She felt isolated, especially over the summer when she had few friends.

"I felt forgotten. I started to hurt myself. I made myself throw up. It just ate me up. For a while I used to say 'they don't know what they're saying' but words hurt.  They leave a lasting impression," said Carragee.

Ossian Brady, a student, said, "During my freshman year, my friend almost committed suicide. He was bullied. It was a hard situation for him and it was hard for me too to watch and I didn't do anything about it."

Brady said he hopes students come away with the message that, "Names can hurt. Bullying is not the answer. If you don't like someone keep it to yourself."