A fifth grader from New Hampshire has delivered an impassioned address before her school board to ask them to everything they can to end bullying. Delanie Marcotte, who lives in Plaistow, NH, and attends Pollard Elementary School, recalled her experiences as she sat in front of the Timberlane Regional School District board members. Her honesty was staggering.
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“I’m here to talk about a problem that means a lot to mean, bullying. Bullying is a problem in our school. I am a victim of it,” she said as her voice cracked. “My parents have contacted the school about it but it continues.”
“It happened to me and my classmates. I have been asked by the mother of my bully during a school field trip why I tried to get her son in trouble,” Delanie continued, before disclosing the horrific threats she has received from her classmates. “I have been threatened to get shot in the head by an AK-47 and buried in my backyard and many other things,” she noted.
“I ask you what are you going to do to protect me and my classmates against bullying. I am here to stand up for every kid that gets bullied,” the brave young girl concluded, before receiving applause from those in attendance.
“Very proud of you for coming,” one board member commented, according to PEOPLE. “Thank you,” added another.
“This took courage,” said Delanie’s father Todd Marcotte, alongside a video of his daughter giving her speech.
This took courage.
Posted by Todd Marcotte on Saturday, June 9, 2018
Delanie told NBC 10 Boston that she desired to let the school board “know I was getting bullied and that I didn’t want it to happen anymore.”
“They kick me and they say mean things, call me names — it is not nice,” she added.
“It is very hard to watch your child get bullied, hear about it day in and day out, and you do get very aggravated,” Todd told NBC. “It’s an issue, and it’s an issue that has to be addressed.” Delanie’s mother Amy told WMUR that she was incredibly proud of her daughter for raising such an important issue.
“Quite frankly, she is doing something that I would have never had the guts to do, being bullied myself in high school,” she said. “We stand by her 100 percent and will do whatever it takes to protect our child.”
In response to Delanie’s message, the school district’s superintendent Early F. Metzler said the governing authorities would be doing everything in their power to can to eradicate bullying in all the district’s schools.
“We will continue to encourage all students to speak up when they see, hear or experience something that makes them uncomfortable,” he said. “The same holds true for parents and community members. there are many vehicles at Timberlane to share your concerns including, but not limited to, the public comment portion of our School Board agenda.”
Many people reacted to the video of Delanie’s speech with messages of support. “What a courageous young lady. Hopefully the school administration will not only listen but act. It’s time to put an end to bullying,” one person commented on Facebook. “This young women is a powerful, brave leader. The world needs more children like this. So brave, so powerful,” another added.
“Your daughter is SO brave. I wish I could give this beautiful little girl a hug. She has more courage, more compassion, and more determination than a lot of adults. You should be SO proud!”