'Desert's Got Character…Do You?' – Anti-bullying campaign promotes good conduct

  • Published
  • By Kate Blais
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Bursts of collective laughter billowed out of the gym at Desert Junior-Senior High School, Feb. 14 as students attentively watched a speaker use pantomime and comedy to convey a serious message.

Cary Trivanovich, performer and speaker for over 25 years, specializes in speaking with students to hopefully "affect their hearts for change," he said.

"Bullying is huge in this country because kids are terrorizing and intimidating each other," Mr. Trivanovich said. "I try to encourage basic character and how cool it is to be somebody because you deserve to be looked up to."

Mr. Trivanovich's performance kicked off "Anti-Bullying Awareness Week," the first of what organizers hope will be an annual event. The event was put together by Elaine Estacio, Family Advocacy Outreach manager and Robin Schwab, wife of Col. Gregory E. Schwab, 95th Air Base Wing commander. It was also supported by the Junior High Associated Student Body, Desert Junior-Senior High School Parent-Teacher Alliance, School Site Council, the Edwards Officers' Spouses' Club and Army and Air Force Exchange Service.

According to Ms. Estacio, she and Mrs. Schwab met with Nat Adams, Desert Junior-Senior High School principle, to discuss what social issues should be addressed, and bullying was close to the top of the list.

"Bullying is a nation-wide concern. Every school deals with it," Ms. Estacio said.
"Hopefully through an anti-bullying campaign, if we can help just one child, we can make a difference."

To accompany the campaign's message, activities were planned throughout the week to promote anti-bullying measures and the importance of having good character. Activities included using chalk to write positive messages on school sidewalks; dressing up like someone you admire and discussing why that individual possesses good character; designing posters that illustrate the week's theme of 'Desert's Got Character...Do You?'; as well as a weeklong 'Caught Being Kind Contest' in which students can submit the names of students they witness showing good character.

After speaking one-on-one to students in the classroom in January about bullying, Ms. Estacio said that she's personally seen the effects of discussing bullying and kindness.

"Since January, kids have actually come up to me and said thank you for speaking to them in class," she said. "Kids have even come up to me and admitted that they used to be bullies, but know now that it's wrong."

Promoting character building, Mr. Trivanovich gives students something to think about.

"Kids need to be somebody. For some kids it's unacceptable to be nobody," Mr. Trivanovich said. "Using the theme of being somebody, I explain to the kids that really the way to be somebody is to be someone that kids look up to and can respect because of the way you carry yourself and present yourself."