A local eighth grader is making an impact on Richland county and it is not just because she is Miss Richland County’s Outstanding Teen. Sydney Shasky, at age 13, has made it her mission to help students who are victims of bullying. She wants to provide a place for them to voice their concerns and fears regarding bullying issues that they may face.
For Shasky, the issue is personal. She was once a victim of bullying. She said, “I was bullied by girls in my school who were my friends at one point. We had been friends for 4 or 5 years. It all started when I began to compete in pageants.” The girls that bullied Sydney threatened her both verbally and physically. Shasky said, “The girls told me they would cut my face and they would corner me in the cafeteria.” Shasky decided something had to change. She talked to her mom, Heather, about the girls who were bullying her. Sydney says, “My mom gave me awesome advice. She said a bully will only bully you as long as you let them. You have to stand up to them.” Shasky did just that.
That lone stand was just the beginning.
Shasky decided to change her platform to, “No Tolerance For Bullying.” Along the way, she learned that a number of students in her school were also victims of bullying. She said, “A lot of kids in my school were being bullied but nobody knew because they were scared to say anything.” That’s when she got the idea for the “confidential boxes”.
Shasky wants to place “confidential boxes” throughout Richland County schools. Here, students can voice fears and concerns they may face if they are victims of bullying. The boxes will be placed outside school offices and the only person that will have access will be the school principal. With these boxes, Sydney is hoping students will more secure about expressing their concerns, “Kids can be scared to talk to adults because adults can be scary. The students will be able to tell the principal about their problems this way and still feel safe.”
To supplement awareness efforts, Shasky has held fundraisers to raise money to get the “confidential boxes” in the schools of Richland County. Her efforts have not gone unsupported. At her Dance-A-Thon, Shasky raised about $200. Additionally, the Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P) donated $400 and Sons of Herman donated $250 to the cause. Supporters can also purchase “No Tolerance For Bullying” t-shirts for $10.
Today, Shasky will compete in Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen Pageant at the Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield, Ohio. She will compete in fitness, evening wear, interview, on-stage question, and talent. Sydney, who has been dancing since she was just 3 years old, will take her footwork to the stage in the talent competition. Her favorite type of dance is lyrical. Shasky said, “Lyrical is very slow and there is a lot of technique that goes into it.”
While the teen has made a strong case for her cause, her supporters have been right behind her. Tonight, Shasky’s friends and family in the crowd will be wearing her t-shirts to “sea of blue” in support. “I have had so much support from my close friends and family.” Shasky said, “They have been great with everything that has happened.”
Richland County’s Outstanding Teen wants fellow students to know that they are not alone and should stand up for themselves. “If you are being bullied, talk to your parents. Stand up. Don’t be afraid to stand up to them and for yourself.”
If you are being bullied, talk to your parents. Stand up. Don’t be afraid to stand up to them and for yourself
