Standing up to bullies

When faced with adversity, most individuals do not face their challenges head on with creativity. One Fallbrook fourth grade student, Isabella Serrano, has taken the challenge of being bullied and turned this dilemma into an opportunity to help others.

According to Jessica Blackwell, Isabella's mother, her 10-year-old daughter began the Anti-Bullying Club (ABC) at Live Oak Elementary School in January. The idea came from Isabella’s personal experience with being bullied.

"Isabella has been bullied since first grade," said Blackwell. "She was coming home and crying for hours about how terribly others had treated her, and she would talk about how she could get plastic surgery to change certain things about her body because of what other kids were saying to her. It was really changing the person she was. As a mother, it was heartbreaking."

Blackwell said that Isabella would call her from school, saying that her stomach would hurt, or that she didn’t want to go to school at all. However, that all changed when Isabella realized that she could do something about how others treated her.

"One night, Isabella was in her room, and when I asked her what she was doing, she told me she was writing a letter to her assistant principal, telling her what she had been through all these years," said Blackwell. "She wanted to take over the school and stop bullies in their tracks."

Isabella was nervous about presenting her ideas to Live Oak vice-principal Decuba Porter, but with encouragement from her mother and teacher, Carlos Magos, she mustered up the courage to do so.

"I was tired of being bullied, and of knowing others were being bullied, so I pursued my dream," said Isabella. "Mom had told me I needed to do something, and in third grade I came up with the idea. I never really thought I’d have the confidence to give the note to my vice-principal, but I actually gave it to her, even though I was nervous."

Porter loved the idea, and in January the ABC Club began its outreach at lunchtime, sharing their motto: "Be a Friend, Not a Bully."

"We are doing games and activities to gain confidence back from all the times students have been bullied," said Isabella. "We also talk about how you can stop bullying, how not to do it, and how not to listen to bullies." Pledge cards have been developed for students to sign in support of the anti-bullying effort.

According to Isabella, nearly 90 students at Live Oak have signed up for the ABC Club, with anywhere from 35 to 50 students attending meetings. Some students even talk privately to Isabella if they aren’t able to come to the meetings.

"I have had help from our vice principal and two secretaries, and we are always looking for more jobs for kids," said Isabella. "Mostly, we’re trying to spread the word."

The ABC Club has already begun planning events for the next school year.

"We have already planned Anti-Bullying Club month in October, and we are looking at different dates for different stuff, like cookie decorating with non-bully stuff, contests, and wearing the anti-bully club color," said Isabella.

This new club has not merely had an impact on the school; Isabella has experienced a large boost in her confidence since the club has begun.

"She likes to go to school now, and comes home happy and smiling," said Blackwell. "Isabella is very positive, and she’s always looking for new ideas for her club. The bullying has also stopped for her; some of her old bullies have even joined the club and stopped bullying. It’s been pretty amazing."

Isabella is proud of her work, and has an encouraging word

for any student who wants to start an anti-bullying club of their own.

"Follow what you think, and don’t let your fears get in your way," said Isabella.