Grade 10 students from École secondaire publique Odyssée, Megan Lepoudre and Shannon Auger enjoyed painting faces for Pink Day.
The gymnasium at École secondaire publique Odyssée was awash in pink Wednesday to raise awareness against bullying.
Students in grades 7 to 12 take part as well as students from École publique Héritage. There were many events for participation but the big crowd draw was the basketball game.
The event Basketball against Bullying is in its third year. Students take on officers from the North Bay Police, Anishnabek and the OPP, Battalion hockey players, fire fighters, a councillor and players from the local media.
Students taking part speak French so the message is non au bullying. Students, teachers and players all wore pink to take a stand against bullying. Odyssée Vice-Principal Sylvie Vannier says two high school students in Nova Scotia started Pink Day.
“They saw that a student who wore pink was being harassed and made to feel degraded. They were hockey players who went out and bought pink t-shirts for their whole team. The team all wore the pink shirts in support of the bullying student. The last Wednesday in February is always celebrated in pink in Canada.”
As an educator, Vannier warns that bullying can be a trigger for mental health issues.
“People who have been bullied can have depression, eating disorders, feel isolated, anxiety, or contemplate suicide.“
Vannier also points out that the school encourages positive talk about healthy relationships.
“It’s key to academic success. Our students are very proud of coming together for the community event. Saying no to bullying is a serious topic that we talk about everyday here. So this turns the issue into a fun day for the students.“
Grade 10 students, Megan Lepoudre and Shannon Auger painted faces various shades of pink. The artists agreed that Pink Day is a fun day. Lepoudre said the younger students wait in a long line for the face painting. “They are full of smiles. They really enjoy it.”
