Battling bullying: Two kids, one book, one county proclamation
Inspired by a pair of best friends, Pima County declares Anti-bullying Day
Reporter: Kevin Keen
VAIL, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - The Pima County Board of Supervisors declared Monday "Anti-bullying Day." The driving force behind the decision: two young men, once victims of bullying, who wrote a book on how other kids should deal with bullies.
It is a day Gabe Villa and Levi Fallavollita wish every one could be. But on August 20, it was officially Anti-bullying Day. These best friends in Vail have the Pima County proclamation to prove it.
Here's what the document states: “'Whereas, two young men from the Vail School District collaborated to produce a bookthat tells young people how to handle a bullying situation, and what to do afterwards.'”
Those “two young men" are these 12 year olds, once victims of bullying.
“I was always getting pushed and shoved and getting name called,” Fallavollita said. “It came to threats.”
The seventh graders shared their stories and lessons learned in a new book teaching other kids what to do when they're bullied. Fallavollita wrote The Good, the Bad and the Bullies. Villa did the drawing.
“It was like painting an image that comes from words to my mind and onto paper,” Villa said.
Here's lesson number two: "A real friend would be happy for your successes."
Their advice, efforts and work led to "Anti-bullying Day,” made official by the county board of supervisors.
Fallavollita and Villa hope the attention spreads the message to tomorrow, the next day and every day after.
“Bullying is not really a good thing and (the proclamation) helps people understand how hurtful it is to the kids that people bully,” Villa said.
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