North Star’s National Honors Society will support the Stand for the Silent movement with an event on Friday, April 26 as a part of National Anti-Bullying Month

By Jody Vuong

I’m sure most of you have heard this buzzing around the halls of North Star recently, but most probably don’t know exactly what it is.

Stand for the Silent was started in 2010 by Kirk and Laura Smalley in memory of their son, Ty Field- Smalley. Their son was 11 years old when he took his own life after being suspended from school for retaliating against a bully who had been bullying him for more than two years.

Stand for the Silent was created to help the Smalleys share their story about their son and also help stop bullying. Since April is anti-bullying month, National Honor Society (NHS) will be showing support by participating in the actual Stand for the Silent event taking place on April 26. NHS will take a moment of silence and also recite the Stand for the Silent Pledge outside. It is also tradition to release balloons during the pledge. NHS Vice President Alec Hogan (12) said, “I think that Stand for the Silent is a good cause that supports people who need and deserve it. It brings awareness to a problem that needs to be dealt with.”

Kirk and Laura Smalley’s story has touched and affected a lot of people. Bullying should never be tolerated and needs to be dealt with immediately. Start a movement and take a stand.