Motivational Speakers Tells West Essex Students to Respect and Support Others

William Deering, a motivational speaker from Pennsylvania, told West Essex High School freshman and sophomores how he was bullied for many years because he stuttered.

Deering, who spoke to students in an anti-bullying assembly in the high school auditorium Oct. 5, told students he stuttered so badly that he was constantly being laughed at, teased or bullied all the time. It got so bad that he would only go to eat lunch if his friends were going. If not, he would avoid the high school or college cafeteria. His experiences made him decide to become a speech therapist and a motivational speaker. He has not stuttered for three years, he told students.

Students do not realize how fortunate they are to have such a wonderful support system of family, friends, teachers, guidance counselors and principals who are care about them, Deering said.

"My message is to build your team and use your team to be successful," he said. "Don't laugh at others. If someone is on the receiving end of that, it doesn't feel good."

Deering and Assistant Principal Juliann Hoebee encouraged students to treat others with respect and support each other.