Increasing rates of suicidal ideation among youth and rising school and gun violence in our nation mean it’s more important than ever that students look out for one another. Students found new and creative ways to celebrate being an upstander in violence prevention during Say Something Week 2022.
From creating songs, videos, and social media campaigns that bring awareness to the warning signs of potential violence or self-harm, students celebrating the week continue to amaze and inspire. Their creativity and talent show that youth can drive real change in their schools and communities every day.
More than 500,000 students in 1,000 schools have already participated in Say Something Week this year, in just about every state in the nation.
Elevating Youth Voice
The pressure many youths face today, from bullying, academics, depression, and the pandemic, were highlighted in a video created by students at Burnet Middle School in Texas. The video, shared with their classmates through social media, emphasized that they are not alone, and the importance of reaching out for help.
Other students also used their creative talents to spread the “Say Something” message, including Jordan Bostick of Gibbs High School in Florida, who wrote a song in honor of the call-to-action. The song, ‘See It, Say It’ speaks about seeing the warning signs and how getting help is not “snitching” but being part of the solution.
Students Get Pumped During the Pep Rally
Jordan premiered the song during the Say Something Week Pep Rally, an energy-packed event that’s become an annual tradition during the call-to-action week. Dozens of schools held watch parties as students nationwide shared their favorite Say Something Week activities with their peers. The event was hosted by several members of the National Youth Advisory Board: Hanadie Tulemat, Jordyne (JJ) Lewis, and Teresa Skripek.
Mia Page-Tretta, who was featured in our recent PSA Teenage Dream, told the story about how she was injured during the shooting in 2019 at Saugus High School in California, and how her best friend was killed. Her story reminded students about the importance of being an upstander in prevention.
More Highlights
To find more stories and posts about students making a difference, search the hashtag #SaySomethingWeek. Many schools will continue to celebrate through the end of March.
Students in the Twin Peaks Middle School SAVE Promise Club in California shared positive messages with their classmates by creating a PositiviTREE. During their local Say Something Week rally, students wrote positive messages on leaves and taped them to the tree to be displayed throughout the campus.
Students in the North Marion Middle School’s SAVE Promise Club took the time to honor Trusted Adults in their school by providing them with certificates of gratitude and sharing the images on their social media accounts.
Not only did the students at the Laura C. Saunders Elementary School encourage their peers to wear green in honor of Say Something Week, but they also posted the message online in Spanish to ensure that everyone was included, regardless of what language they speak.
At the Victor J. Andrew High School in Illinois, members of the SAVE Promise Club asked their fellow classmates to sign a “Say Something” pledge to be an upstander in their community, to recognize the warning signs, to take it seriously, and act immediately.
