Kidsbridge presents its fourth annual Walk2Stop Bullying event on Saturday, June 13, at Educational Testing Services in Princeton. There were more than 400 supporters at the 2014 event (see photo above). The walk begins at 9 a.m. There is a bullying prevention workshop at 10:30 a.m.
Lynne Azarchi of West Windsor has been the executive director of Kidsbridge for more than 10 years. She divides the population into bullies, victims, and bystanders. She teaches that one person can make a difference by becoming an upstander, someone who stands up to bullies.
The “How to Be an Upstander” contest received 400 essays, 400 posters, and 30 PSAs from all over the state. They will be exhibited at an art essay gallery at the event. Hana Ahmed, an eighth grade student at Grover Middle School, received an honorable mention for her essay. Her nominator was Debra Cohen.
Ahmed has lived in Plainsboro for five years and is in a youth group at her mosque. A Girl Scout for more than a year, she volunteers at Plainsboro Public Library and at the school’s media center. She has written for a book review program at Plainsboro Library. “I’m part of a volunteer organization called STEP for a Better World,” she says.
She participates in the PRISM (Performance Revealing Individual Student Magic) program at school, where she did an inquiry project on the sinking of the Titanic. She is the daughter of Deeba Siddiqi and Ashfaq Ahmed.
“Calm and Confident Yoga” is a bullying workshop presented by Tina Lamar of Sheltered Yoga. Lamar, a victim of bullying for having ADHD, has a master’s degree from the University of the Arts in art education and an MBA from Rider University. The class presents ways to breathe, slow down, and think about how to resolve conflict. Bring a yoga mat or towel.
Kidsbridge, founded in 1996, is now located on Lower Ferry Road in Ewing. The Tolerance Museum moved from the College of New Jersey to Ewing last year.
Walk2Stop Bullying, Kidsbridge Tolerance Museum, Educational Testing Services, 660 Rosedale Road, Princeton. Saturday, June 13, 9 a.m. One mile walk is wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly. Rain or shine. 609-581-0239. www.kidsbridgemuseum.org.
