Jamey Rodemeyer

I'm not sure if you have heard the tragic story of Jamey Rodemeyer.  This story is one of the many that have become all too prevalent about young teens committing suicide.   

Jamey Rodemeyer had endured years of relentless, anti-gay bullying.  At just 14 years old, he took his own life.

Before committing suicide, Jamey posted this It Gets Better Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pb1CaGMdWk

Not only was he attacked day after day in school, but his forum spring had became another way for students to continue their relentless bully.  "JAMIE IS STUPID, GAY, FAT ANND UGLY. HE MUST DIE!" read one post.  Another read: "I wouldn't care if you died. No one would. So just do it :) It would make everyone WAY more happier!"
I just can not imagine the who thinks they have the right to say this!  Or that saying this is okay!

Jamey's sister, Alyssa, found her brother hanging in their backyard.  The first night of Jamey's wake was the same night as their high school homecoming dance.  Alyssa's parents encouraged their daughter to attend the dance.  

Poor loved ones of Jamey couldn't even find a few hours of relief.  A group of Jamey's bullies chanted "we're glad he's dead."  The lack of remorse Jamey's bullies are showing is repulsive.
(http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/27/video-jamey-rodemeyers-sister-bullying-continued-after-suicide/?hpt=ac_t3)

I looked to see what the school had to say about the horrifying behaviors of it's students.  I expected them to denounce bullying in all of its various degrees and forms.  I expected them to be introducing and enforcing much stricter policies.  For Williamsville High School to be really cracking down.  

I was completely underwhelmed with what I found.  

I cannot fathom why Jamey's high school is not doing more.  

In a letter to students' parents, Williamsville High School wrote:
"This has reinforced the need to support our children by providing them with viable outlets to deal with a variety of challenges"  (This has reinforced the need have zero tolerance for bullying!!!!!)
"This recent tragedy also highlights the pervasive problem of bullying and cyber bullying" (You think?)
(The complete letter can be found at this link: http://www.williamsvillek12.org/files/filesystem/Parents%20Guardians%20-%20Bullying.pdf)

Bullying is NOT okay.  I believe schools must do something drastic about it.  

Even more important than actions dealing in the wake of such tragedy are the actions that prevent such tragedy from ever occurring.

How do we prevent bulling in schools?

I'm going to Carolina!

Hellooooooo Carolina!

My name is Victoria Kennedy!

I am a New York City native and just transferred down here to UNC! I was born and raised in one of the 5 boroughs of the city - Staten Island. I'd be surprised if you've heard of my borough before, most haven't. If they have it's probably because of the TV show the Jersey Shore (my guilty pleasure). Staten Island is a lot more suburban than it's Manhattan and Brooklyn neighbors. There are no yellow taxies zooming around and while the Angelina/Vinny/Snookie stereotype does exist there, the typical "guido" is not as prevalent as one might think.

I spent the last year living in Manhattan and going to school at New York University. Yes, I know, this is a really big change and a very different environment! When I meet people, it is almost guaranteed that one of their first questions will be "Did you just not like the city?" "Did you transfer because you felt like there wasn't a real campus?" "Did you not like it there?"

The answers to all these questions are no, no, and no! I LOVED living in the "real" city! I felt like there was ABSOLUTELY a real campus, there was just a lot of New Yorkers walking around on it! And I LOVED being a student at NYU!

I, unlike most transfer students, had an absolutely amazing first year of college! I made some of the best friends I've ever had and did have a great time.

So why did I transfer?

While NYU has a lot to offer, it is not perfect. What NYU lacked were some of the most crucial aspects of my college experience.

NYU school spirit is pretty much non-existent. I was so excited to be at NYU and to be in college! Most students are just very excited to be living in New York City, not as excited to be at NYU. There were absolutely no excitement over sports (all our teams are D3, except for our fencing, which is D1). We got kicked out of the football league in the 70s and haven't had a team since. I was the only one with face paint on at the big soccer game!

Students, like many New Yorkers, are just trying to get from point A to point B. The city has so many opportunities, it's hard to make time for all the opportunities the college is offering as well. It's really hard to have a community. There is no such concept as Franklin Street

I would have been happy at NYU. But at the end of 4 years I know I would have still wanted the community and the school spirit. I did not want to spend all that money and all that time at a place that I would just be satisfied with. I wanted more! I wanted (and got) a college that I would be completely fulfilled at, and totally excited and pumped about! Tada! Carolina!

My transition here has been pretty great so far! I'm still adjusting to the fact that places are closed on Sunday and that there is not a Forever 21 just 4 blocks away. I'm also in the process of forgetting the NYU college way of doing things and relearning the UNC college way of doing things, all while trying not to completely feel like a freshman again!

So far, so good! Everyone is so nice and friendly down here!! It makes getting involved a lot of fun! I really love getting involved here!

I rushed for a sorority - a process that truly blew my mind! Sororities are not a big deal up North, and definitely not at all a big deal at NYU (less than 1% of people are involved in Greek Life). The craziness of the rush process was worth it! I am no pledging Alpha Chi Omega and am pledge class president!

I am also getting involved with residential life on campus. I am Lieutenant Governor of Ram Village Community and can't wait to start planning events and meeting even more of my dorm-mates!

Working at Carolina Leadership Development has been a great way to get involved at the Union. This office is one of the funnest I have encountered Carolina's campus! The atmosphere is fun and laid back, as are the people who work here! The door is always open to come in, talk, hang out, or eat the extra food they often have!

If you have made it this far into my blog - I thank you! I have an uncontrollable tendency to talk for however long I am able to and this blog gives me unlimited space!

I hope you are enjoying your Carolina experience as much as I am! And keep your eye out for more of my posts - now that I've figured out how to blog, there will definitely be a lot more of it!

Welcome Back!

Hey everybody! My name is Kelsey and this is my first year at Carolina. One month in and I'm still so excited for this year and all that it has to offer. This first month has already been such an incredible experience: meeting new people, living on my own, and simply checking out everything that Carolina has to offer! The transition at first is a little intimidating having to do everything on your own and especially going to your first classes...and taking your first exam (chemistry...ugh)! But for me, everything has seemed to just fall into place so quickly, and I hope it's doing the same for everyone else as well!
Part of my Carolina experience includes being a Carolina Covenant scholar. This program has been so amazing to me so far, offering different classes and events all to help ease the transition of high school to college and help me get prepared for the future! Part of this scholarship includes me doing Work Study. I know, I know...it sounds rough but it's been pretty awesome so far! I am currently working as the new office assistant at Carolina Leadership Development. The people in the office are so friendly and welcoming, I felt right at home from the moment I walked in.
CLD offers several different programs all encouraging students to get involved, including: FLi (First Year Leadership Initiative), NC Fellows and Carolina United. Located in the top of the Student Union, their office is always open to anyone whether you want to just come in to work on homework, chat about things or simply just hang out for a little while. I strongly encourage anyone that feels like they want to get involved or just needs somewhere to go for a little while to come check it out!
Well I hope that you all continue to enjoy your time at Carolina...it's such an beautiful place!