Canyon Springs High School’s Anti-Bullying Club, also known as ABC, was recognized as the HERO Peer Club of the Year by the Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation (RMCCF)’s Anti-Bullying Institute on August 19.
The Anti-Bullying Institute’s HERO Awards Program exists to recognize individuals, schools, or community groups that reside in Riverside County who have shown exceptional efforts in being kind, inclusive, and aiding to end bullying in their school, place of work, and/or community.
“We are excited to have been selected as the HERO Peer Club of the Year,” said Michelle Gomez, counselor and club advisor at Canyon Springs High School. “We have been doing this for a long time and each year, our club grows with more students interested in creating a positive school environment for everyone on campus. Our collective efforts don't stop here. While we have great challenges ahead, we will continue to face them head on with the goal of creating a more uplifting and positive world for our youth.”
The Anti-Bullying Club began nine years ago at Canyon Springs High School with the primary goals of preventing bullying on campus and positively affecting school climate. During lunches, ABC hosts activities that help engage students, create unity, and bring awareness to students on campus.
Members create a Bully Prevention presentation and train to present information to students in classrooms about the definition of bullying, the consequences of bullying, bully prevention methods, and how to anonymously report bullying to staff, administration, or through the Moreno Valley Unified School District website.
“We are lucky to have an incredible advisor and counselor like Michelle Gomez leading this group of students at Canyon Springs High School,” said Moreno Valley Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Martinex Kedziora. “I am very proud of the work students have accomplished under her guidance and look forward for her club to continue inspiring other schools to create their own kindness and anti-bullying clubs.”
ABC helps students recognize bullying by first establishing a clear definition of the term. By ensuring their fellow students are clear on this definition, they can focus on prevention and positive intervention, and ultimately help create a safer and more unified school community.
“The Anti-Bullying Club has gone above and beyond in everything they have done,” said Moreno Valley Unified School District Board President Dr. Marsha Locke. “The success of the club is evident with the recent recognition as the HERO Peer Club of the Year. The outstanding students and club advisor Michelle Gomez have demonstrated that students have the power to make a difference in their community and I am proud to know that their kindness, positivity and perseverance is being recognized.”
ABC encourages students to speak out and report any issues of bullying or discrimination. Outside of the classroom, ABC spreads awareness of bullying prevention through fun and engaging activities during Bullying Prevention Month and Pink Shirt Week, and participates in awareness campaigns around violence prevention, suicide prevention, and more.
Today, they are over 150 strong and continuing to grow, proving that their message of kindness is speaking to the hearts of their fellow students, and goals to raise awareness and spread positivity are being realized.
For more local news and information click here.