SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
Students endure a lot of stress at school, everything from tests and grades, to homework. But unfortunately some have experienced something much more painful: bullying. One man is on a crusade to be a voice for those who are quietly suffering.
Kirk Smalley has a big presence as he speaks to over 600 Le Mars Community High School students. But while "he" is loud, his "message" is for the silent.
"We have to become a voice. You have to find your voice. That's what 'Stand for the Silent' is all about. The kids that don't want to speak up, somebody has to speak up for them," said Kirk Smalley, spokesman for Stand for the Silent.
He is speaking about bullying. A phenomenon that happens everyday in schools across the world. But for Kirk Smalley, this message is personal. That's because back in May of 2010, his 11-year-old son, Ty, took his own life after he was bullied. Now he is spreading the word.
"It's snowballed these people are spreading this message, 'hey you need to get this message out to your school.' The kids themselves are doing it," said Smalley.
"It's incredibly moving. It's incredibly sorrowful to see someone come and speak to the students who has had this personally happen to them," said Jennifer Mallett, Spanish teacher at Le Mars Community High School.
"I think the message that he's delivering is very powerful, very moving, and very emotional," said Barry Borchers, guidance counselor at Le Mars Community High School.
Having traveled to 17 states for far, Smalley and his wife want kids to know that bullying should not be tolerated.
"It's not a rite of childhood passage. You don't have to be bullied growing up," said Smalley.
"Make the awareness a lot better and will help us to curb some of the bullying that goes on here at school and hopefully outside of school," said Borchers.
Students can even help other students.
"Students have to take their step that they need to be able to tell people 'stop, this is not ok'. If it came from the students themselves that would make them actually stop and think about what they're doing," said Mallett.
"Most students choose their peers to talk to first and when they cant resolve it that way, then they approach adults," said Borchers.
Smalley hopes that no one has to endure what his family has.
"Keep the message going out, keep the awareness going out until I can't do it anymore, you know," said Smalley.
