Chiles Elementary Student Honored For Efforts To Stop Bullying

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — In 2009, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners created the Anti-Bullying Advisory Committee (A.B.A.C.) to develop a comprehensive strategy to address bullying in the community.

After its founding, the committee established the Anti-Bullying Recognition Award, which goes to a young person or group of young people up to age 19 to highlight their efforts to eliminate bullying.

During the Oct. 6 meeting Hillsborough County Commission meeting, the board honored Emma Campbell as the recipient of the 2022 Anti-Bullying Recognition Award. Eliah Ewing from Winward Wealth Management, a sponsor of the Annual Anti-Bullying Recognition Award, also presented his annual gift to the winner.

An 11-year-old and a fifth-grader at Lawton Chiles Elementary School, Campbell is well known for her leadership, education, advocacy and intervention efforts. During situations in which her peers attempted to tease or bully other children in the classroom, Campbell has immediately stepped in to defend those who were victimized. Her compassion, patience and care have inspired other students in her school to treat each other with more acceptance and grace.

As she received her award, Campbell thanked the board and her family encouraging her to treat everyone with respect.

"I hope that this award shows everybody that you should be kind to others because everyone needs a friend," she said.