"I'm sorry for the people who get bullied, and I should stand up for them."
Grade 6 student Tara Keller pledged her empathy and promise to victims of bullying on a heart- shaped note posted to the school's bulletin board at St. Dominic School.
Students throughout Humboldt recognized the fourth annual Red Cross Day of Pink on April 10, donning pink shirts and conveying an anti-bullying message.
A group of Grade 6 students admitted they have witnessed bullying within their school and said the issue is an ongoing discussion in the classroom.
"Sometimes I usually say something to them -- I tell them to stop," Jacob Krueger said of the bullies.
It's important to wear pink and to spread awareness so that bullying stops and so that no one feels left out, Keller added.
Students identified with the stop bullying message and confirmed there's power in the Day of Pink.
"I think it's a sign of respect to the people who get bullied," said Krueger. "It's sending a message to bullies everywhere to stop because there are crowds of people who are against it."
St. Dominic School principal Dennis Spence said it's crucial that schools recognize the Day of Pink and to celebrate the anti-bullying movement as a proactive means to the eradication of the problem.
"Awareness is the key to getting rid of bullying; it provides a support system for the victims," said Spence. "Through awareness everybody knows the protocol, everybody knows their job as a by-stander and everybody knows their jobs as a victim."
According to statistics released by the Canadian Red Cross, more than 20,000 people across Saskatchewan supported the anti-bullying movement on April 10 by participating in the fourth annual Red Cross Day of Pink.
More than 350 schools and community organizations marked the day with assemblies, rallies and parades drawing attention to the issues of bullying and what people can do to create safe and respectful environments.
"Kids should never have to face bullying alone. We are thrilled to see so many Saskatchewan people working together to stand up to bullying behaviour," Provincial Director for the Canadian Red Cross Cindy Fuchs said in a release. "Close your eyes and imagine no bullying. I can't wait to see that world and I think Red Cross Day of Pink encourages us to move one step closer."
The Day of Pink began in 2007 in Nova Scotia when a ninth grader was bullied at school for wearing a pink shirt. Two senior students stepped in and put on pink shirts and encouraged others to do the same, in support of the student and to send a "stop bullying" message.
Red Cross Day of Pink is presented by SaskEnergy and is supported by Royal Bank of Canada, Saskatchewan Credit Unions, K+S Potash, Saskatchewan Transportation Company and Extreme Hockey and Sport.
