BY KAREN BOSSICK
Not a fan of bullying? Wear orange.
People across the country will wear orange on Wednesday, Oct. 25, as a show of unity for kindness, acceptance and inclusion.
Locally, The Advocates is encouraging elementary school students especially to wear orange on Unity Day in recognition of National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month.
The Advocates teen interns, the ETC’s, will be stationed at each of Blaine County’s public schools, as well as Community School and Pioneer Montessori on Wednesday morning to greet grade school students and hand out orange bracelets.
“Sometimes peer pressure, like this, can also be positive and healthy,” said Heidi Cook, who works with youth on behalf of The Advocates. “Other examples are when the peer group encourages kind and inclusive behavior, such as inviting others to join them at the lunch table or letting someone know that they care what is happening to them. The action of peers encouraging each other to reach out to those who are struggling can have a positive impact on the group and other individuals who want to speak out against bullying.”