Youree Drive Middle student works to end bullying

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) - National Unity Day, which this year was observed Wednesday, is a day to wear orange.

It’s also day to shine the spotlight on bullying and make others aware of the problem.

Youree Drive Middle School eighth-grader Sachiri Henderson says she was bullied in elementary school.

But once she got to middle school, she started the BEAST Crew.

BEAST stands for Bullying Ends Against Students Today.

Sachiri says she didn’t understand why she was being bullied, but she fought back by being kind.

“I went to school one day. I just drew a superhero because I wanted to be nice to him.”

Sachiri says it took some time, but her bully ended up turning his attitude around and today the two are friends.

The 13-year-old was just crowned Miss City of Lights Teen and now is using her experience as her platform in speaking out.

Sachiri said she often intervenes if she sees someone bullied at school.

“When somebody bullies you, your self-esteem goes really low. I don’t want that to happen to some of the kids.”

The results often can be that children become depressed and do not want to go to school.

Sachiri urges parents to listen and talk to their children about bullies.

• The BEAST Crew will hold a fundraiser from 1-5 p.m. Saturday at Orange Leaf on Mansfield Road in Shreveport. 
• Orange Leaf will donate 20 percent of all fundraiser sales to Outreach Services of North Louisiana to provide counseling sessions for bullying and suicide prevention. 
• Youree Drive Middle teacher Nicole Harper also will receive a portion of the proceeds to help with her husband, who is battling ALS.

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