Teens talk bullying in Carroll County
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McKENZIE, Tenn. — West Tennessee students answered tough questions about bullying on Tuesday. “I’ve seen it,” freshman Rose Hensley said. “I’ve witnessed it, and it’s happened to me.” Hensley, a student at Huntingdon High School, said she has been bullied. “I was the new kid,” she said. “They didn’t know much about me. It was easy to start rumors.” Hensley and hundreds of other Carroll County freshmen packed classrooms at Bethel University on Tuesday for an annual teen summit focused on bullying. “I want them to think about their actions, think before they speak,” Director of Coordinated School Health for Carroll County Schools Mandy Drewry said. Students talked about when, where and why bullying happens. “Words hurt, and it could affect them for the rest of their life,” Drewry said. Drewry confirmed two Carroll County students committed suicide last year and said she believes one of them may have been bullied. Tuesday‘s talks encouraged students to consider the impact of their words. “They need someone to defend them ‘cause they can’t always do it themselves,” freshman Dalton Vaughn said. Both adults and students hope for a positive impact. “I think with these people learning how it’ll affect everyone they’ll know a lot more on what to say, what to do, how to help someone out,” Hensley said. Hensley said it is also nice to know there are teachers who will help. Drewry said principals are required to report bullying incidents. She said bullying can lead to depression, anxiety and health problems.
