Speak Out!

Hi Fresh Ladies!

A big CONGRATS  goes out to the first Miss TEEN USA from Connecticut, Miss Logan West.

Even though Logan is being  praised publicly for her accomplishments and hard work, she recently admit to being a victim of bullying. She has expressed the pain she experienced being tormented by classmates growing up. And she’s made it one of her causes as the new Miss Teen USA.

Logan comes from a Causcasion mother and an African American father. She  said he was often teased for ”talking and acting white.”

The torment went from trash-talking to one person throwing all types of food on her at school. Eventually the bullying turned into even more physical events.

“Instantly, I knew it was wrong. And my bully got up and punched me right in the face in front of everybody,” Lisa stated.  Both of them got suspended for two days. “I loved school with all my heart. I wanted to be up every morning. I was ready to go. I did my homework. But when I was being bullied, I found every excuse not to go to school.”

Logan has created a program called “Bully Proof: Empowering Children Today to Prevent Bullying Tomorrow.”

She says the most important thing a child who is being bullied at school can do is to tell an adult. She adds that children need to know the difference between bullying and teasing.

As for what she’d say if she could speak to her bully today:

“I’d say thank you. Because if it weren’t for her I would not have the confidence or the strength that I have right now. I gained this whole new sense of strength that I can teach youths how to protect themselves from this horrible epidemic called bullying.”

Miss Teen USA said to MSNBC:

“Being Miss Teen USA will give me the opportunity to educate students about bullying on a national level and share my story. It wasn’t always easy, but my parents made sure that I learned how to cope with it and ensure that I didn’t stay introverted.”

“I lost who Logan was when I was being bullied, but I found that participating in pageants helped me find ‘her’ again as well as gain the confidence to be a role model and voice for others. During my reign, I hope to share with teens the importance of being true to yourself.”

Why do people bully others? What’s your advice for someone who is being bullied? Have you been bullied?

SPEAK OUT!!