Anti-Bullying Motivational Speaker at St. Benedict School

On Monday, November 10th, St. Benedict School students in sixth through eighth grades received the pleasure of listening to and personally meeting Ron Bachman, a motivational speaker who tours America’s schools spreading his messages of acceptance and diversity. Ron is considered one of the top speakers in the country for his anti-bullying campaign. Mr. Bachman, a Detroit native touring the country for speaking engagements, traveled 771 miles to visit the sixth through eighth graders at St. Benedict School in Holmdel, New Jersey, as part of his Walk This Way 2013 Tour. Upon hearing this, one SBS eighth grader exclaimed, “Wow, we must be special!”

Not only are the students special, but Ron’s message is even more special for all middle school students from all over the country to hear. Ron shared his childhood experience, having both legs amputated at a young age, and going through life dealing with physical handicaps and verbal bullying throughout the school years. He made a decision to rise above it all and persevere to dedicate his life to teaching others, particularly middle school aged children, the importance of being yourself, accepting others and being responsible in a world filled with technology that can be used as a bullying tool too easily and readily accessible. He stressed to the students to “love yourself” and the extreme importance of embracing the values of self-esteem and respect. Honing in on the 8th graders, he also powerfully reminded the upper classmen how they are all role models, especially to the 7th and 6th graders sitting in the same room. “Everything you say, everything you do, is being watched by them,” and then added, “they look up to you.” The school gym filled with students sat silent as they watched and listened intently to every single word he spoke. The audience filled with young students was truly captivated.

Afterwards, the students individually greeted Ron and received his autograph. They proudly asked for his signature “RB” stamp and “Walk This Way” bracelet and took photos with him. St. Benedict School also received copies of his newly released book, “Walk This Way: Life Lessons for Dealing with Bullies and Bad Times.”

Special thanks to the RAINE Foundation, Patti Dickens, and Mrs. Potterton, SBS social worker, for making the visit happen. In the words of Mr. Bachman and SBS students today, “Oh yeah!” as we learn to put an end to bullying, learn to love ourselves and one another.