SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. – Travis Price is on mission.
The co-founder of National Pink Shirt Day says it’s up to everyone to put an end to bullying, and he wants to make that happen by sharing the story of Pink Shirt Day.
“Bullying is something that impacts everyone, no matter where you are,” said Price recently as he met with a small group of kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Summerside.
“Since the campaign began, it’s like the pink shirt became a symbol for anti-bullying.”
Ten years ago, Price and another friend witnessed a student at his school being bullied because he was wearing a pink shirt. In response, Price and his friend went out and bought dozens of pink shirts and rallied others to join them in wearing them to school the next day in solidarity with the bullying victim.
“It’s become a symbol that says, yes bullying happens and we need to prevent it, but it’s up to us to put an end to it and make that happen.”
Price has made it his mission to share the story of Pink Shirt Day around the globe in hopes of making a difference in at least one person’s life.
“Sometimes people need to learn that the simple actions can lead to the biggest changes, that by helping someone or standing up for someone you can be that person’s hero.”
Brooklyn Pickle and Jacob Katmouz enjoyed the presentation, saying they learned the importance of standing up to people who bully or are mean to others.
“I liked it a lot. I liked learning about his story and how he had someone stand up for him because he was being bullied,” said Brooklyn.
Jacob added, “It was nice that he stood up for the guy who was being bullied and made an effort to make him feel included.”
Brooklyn said she has been bullied before, with the incidents leaving her feeling sad and with hurt feelings.
“It’s not nice. I think it should stop. When you see someone bullying another, you should stand up to them. If no one stands up to the bully, they won’t learn their lesson.”
Price also spoke at Ellerslie Elementary School and M.E. Callaghan Intermediate School on Thursday and at Athena Consolidate School Elm Street Elementary on Friday.
National Pink Shirt Day 2018 is set for Feb. 28.