As a Maine Township trustee and a concerned parent, I am committed to working with our community. I was honored to be the moderator at the Anti-Hazing Seminar, which I feel brought much-needed attention to this ongoing problem.
In attendance were several keynote speakers that explained the repercussions of hazing and how it can affect both children and their parents. They reviewed the issue from the student’s perspective, including how the importance of belonging can cause them to accept hazing. I was deeply touched by the parents that flew in from other states to share their stories and the young people who had the courage to talk about their experiences of being bullied.
Specific ideas were offered on how to prevent and monitor hazing in our schools and community. I want to thank the school administrators, law enforcement officials and hazing experts who participated. An even greater thank you goes to the parents and students who had the bravery to tell their stories to support putting a stop to this troubling trend. What an honor it was to be featured on WBBM Radio and countless articles, both national and local.