Students Sask. wide gather in Regina for two-day intense training to end bullying

REGINA – Bullies are being dealt a blow as students stand together at the 2015 Red Cross Youth Symposium being held at the IMAX Theatre at the Saskatchewan Science Centre.

“It’s incredible! To see kids want to take this leadership initiative and want to be part of the solution instead of being part of the problem is simple amazing,” said Travis Price, co-founder of Pink Shirt Day.

Over 140 students from across the province are gathering in Regina for two days of intense training to become youth facilitators.

“We tell them that they can be the hero and that is the most important thing. When we think about history and the social changes that have happened with racism, with Viola Desmond, and Rosa Parks and Homophobia with its champions, bullying needs its champions too.” explained Price.

It’s expected that the students training will become those champions.

Once they have completed their training they will head back to their schools where they will become leaders in the fight to end bullying.

“As a part of the student leadership council, I think we might do some workshops within our school and just talk to a couple of kids and see what they think,” said Ben Schneider, a Grade 11 student from Vibank Regional School.

Cheering them on is a self-admitted former bully who is now leading the charge for change.

“When the kid stood up to me in Elementary school I feel like they helped shape who I am today. I just try to explain to them that the impact you can have on so many different people is just so powerful,” said Saskatchewan Roughrider Scott McHenry.

It’s that kind of support that could see students in Saskatchewan make history.

“Saskatchewan to me, in my eyes from all across Canada, this is going to be the first province that we really can imagine no bullying,” added Price.

It’s a strong statement, but one that students at the symposium hope won’t be an imagination forever.