Anti-bullying protest at Deer Lakes canceled because of bullying, student organizers say

A scheduled walkout by some Deer Lakes students to protest bullying at the high school has been canceled because of backlash from the community, organizers said.

Student Abygail Cacurak said a private meeting with district administration is being planned in lieu of the protest.

“After much deliberation and thought, we have decided to postpone the protest due to harassment from the community,” Cacurak wrote in an email.

“What began as a mission to give a voice to the voiceless and curate a change to the environment of the school has merely increased the bullying from students, and parents, along with intimidation from the community.

“The continuous harassment that we have endured these past few days has been extensive and belittling.”

The walkout had been planned for 1:40 p.m. Friday at the high school.

Cacurak said the reception to the walkout surprised her and fellow student organizaer Kevin Hoffman. Cacurak said the pair received hateful comments from peers and were harassed by adults online.

She said one person told them to “grow thick skin and a pair.”

By Tuesday night, they decided it was best to postpone the walkout.

“We felt belittled,” she said.

Cacurak and Hoffman hope to collaborate with Superintendent Janell Logue-Belden and school board members to schedule a small forum where both sides can discuss issues such as racism, sexual harassment and threats.

Cacurak said plans are already in motion to hold an assembly for students to speak out on their experiences. She said they are working with the principals and administrators to find a time to gather in the auditorium.

“We are trying to keep it at a more condensed level so there are no harm and issues to students who want to speak and be heard,” she said.

Logue-Belden is out of the office through Tuesday, May 2 and could not be reached for comment.

District spokesperson Shawn Annarelli could not be reached for comment, nor could Assistant Superintendent Bobbi-Ann Barnes.

Deer Lakes officials released a statement in response to the originally scheduled walkout, saying they supported students’ First Amendment rights and asked for a calm event.

Hoffman, a senior, previously said he has encountered bullying since middle school. He feels that the Deer Lakes administration has not followed through on promises to hold the aggressors accountable.

“I am almost done with high school,” Hoffman said last week. “However, I want everything to be better for kids as a minority or kids being bullied in general.”

He hoped to see anti-bullying measures introduced to students at a young age in an effort to curb discrimination.

Cacurak said the meeting with district officials is aimed at sparking change and, despite the protest being canceled, a movement has begun.

“Students who may have felt frightened to walk out for what the repercussions would’ve been will have a safe place to allow the administration to be aware of what the students have endured,” she said.

In related action, an online petition launched on April 15 by junior Zoe Seitz so far has accrued 241 signatures by people who support the fight to raise awareness against bullying.

In the petition, Seitz wrote that school officials have failed to address problems.

“Bullying is a real issue that continues to be ignored and many students face constant harassment, which is unacceptable,” she wrote. “I personally have had multiple friends that have been bullied, but nothing has been done to help them. This needs to stop.

“I am sick and tired of my friends fearing to come to school because they are harassed.”

In recent months, the school has made an effort to address bullying and mental health issues.

A Hope Squad was launched in March to teach students how to lead their peers to mental health resources and help those who might be struggling.

The Team Upstanders Program, an anti-bullying initiative led by “90210” actor Trevor Donovan, was implemented in late March. That program chooses 11 student ambassadors to promote an anti-bullying environment and reward acts of kindness done throughout the school.