SHELBY, Ohio — Anticipation grew as a crowd at Shelby City Schools waited for Australian, limbless motivational speaker Nick Vujicic to speak Wednesday at a special assembly.
The crowd rose to their feet and cheered as Vujicic was carried onto the stage.
“I love you,” were his first words to the 1,400 students and community members gathered in Shelby High School’s gymnasium. An additional 100,000 students in schools across Ohio streamed the event live.
Superintendent of Shelby City Schools Tim Tarvin said Vujicic was invited to their school in an effort to addresss bullying and its all-too-often ugly sequel: suicide.
“We understand that bullying is not just a Shelby problem, it’s a statewide, worldwide problem,” said Tarvin. “And we’re going to do everything we can, and have been for a number of years now, to give our kids the support we can give them, and the tools they need, to make them safe and successful.”
Shelby High School Principal John Gies said the school has recently been focused on improving its culture.
“A lot of what we do takes place just with our teachers and how they work with kids. Being aware of which kids are struggling and how do we get them some help,” said Gies.
Except for one two-toed stub, Vujicic was born without limbs. He now travels the world to speak to youth about the realities of bullying. At one point during the assembly, he remembered, at age eight, considering suicide — as a ten-year-old, he tried.
“I don’t know your name and I don’t know your pain,” said Vujicic. “But I’m going to tell you right now, don’t give up on you.”
During the assembly, Vujicic asked every student, parent and teacher to bow their heads, raise their arms and open their palms. He wanted to facilitate an anonymous survey.
“Put your hand in a fist if you’ve actually thought of committing suicide,” said Vujicic as a handful of the crowd made fists. “Put your hand in a fist if you’ve actually tried to commit suicide.”
A somber pause.
After the survey, Vujicic made calculations based on the results. He said nearly 70 individuals in the gymnasium have thought about committing suicide. Fifty individuals have actually tried, he said.
“Is that higher than you thought,” he asked the silent crowd. “This is real.”
The assembly was not entirely grim. Vujicic spent some time relating to the youth as he told jokes mixed with positive motivation.
“Guys, happiness is not about how big your biceps are. I had biceps so big my arms fell off,” he said to a resounding laugh.
“Your value is not determined on status … Happiness doesn’t come from money, drugs, sex, alcohol, pornography, fame or fortune. If you put your happiness in temporary things, your happiness will be temporary,” said Vujicic.
He also talked about world hunger, human trafficking and respect for girlfriends and female peers.
Vujicic encouraged students to talk to teachers and guidance counselors when dealing with problems.
“You’re going to tell your friends? Your friends don’t know what to do with what you just told them. But adults do. These are the ones that have degrees … they’re trained professionals,” said Vujicic.
After the assembly, students were encouraged to send a text to 313131 that read “Strong” if they were battling with suicidal thoughts and adversity in school.
For more biographical information on Vujicic, visit his website. It includes his tour dates and locations, including Saturday, Oct. 10 when he will visit The Wolstein Center in Cleveland.
