Thousands of Calgary school kids enjoyed a memorable field trip to the Saddledome Tuesday, a chance not just to take in a hockey game, but also to take a stand together against bullying.
The young fans were there for the Western Hockey League “Be Brave” game, featuring the Calgary Hitmen hosting the Swift Current Broncos.
The event also featured speakers taking the ice during the intermissions, including bullying victim MacKenzie Murphy.
Murphy is a Grade 12 student from Airdrie, who after experiencing bullying online and at school, helped form an Airdrie bylaw aimed at preventing bullying.
“Now, coming out on the other side, I realize that I’m not alone, that so many people share the same story,” Murphy said.
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Watch from February 2015: Mackenzie Murphy was the winner of the Charlotte Bacon Kindness Award thanks to her work in the community against bullying.
It’s a message that hit home with the crowd.
“Everyone should stand up against bullying,” Grade 8 student Jack Liptrot said. “Because serious things can come out of it, like people can get depressed, they can even commit suicide.”
The students also heard from a Calgary police officer who was bullied growing up because he was gay.
“This is where you’ve got to start the conversation,” Const. Tad Milmine said. “We need to continue that message every day of the year, that positive change does start and it starts right here, with all of us in this arena.”
Grade 6 student Mamitha Irakoze wants to be part of that positive change, saying “I’ve been bullied and I want to show everyone that someone can help you.”
“If everyone reached out, if everyone spoke up, if everyone was someone’s hero,” Cst. Milmine said, “That positive change, it starts right here, effective immediately.”
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