Roselle school takes stand against bullying with author visit

ROSELLE – When author Jay Asher was writing his best-selling young adult novel “Thirteen Reasons Why,” he didn’t know he was writing a story about bullying. But his teenage readers did.

When they read about the 13 reasons why high school student Hannah Baker decided to end her own life – explained through a series of cassette tapes sent to the classmates who contributed to her decision – they responded with messages to the author saying they’ve dealt with the same kinds of bullying.

That’s when Asher realized he needed to expand his definition of bullying and maybe not define it at all.

“Because sometimes, defining things is a good way for us to compartmentalize what something is,” he said.

Now, the award-winning author is on a nationwide tour against bullying that will take the California native to all 50 states and D.C.

Lake Park High School in Roselle was his fourth stop on the 50 States Against Bullying campaign. On Monday, Asher visited both the East and West campuses and hosted assemblies at each.

During the assemblies, he talked about his writing background, inspirations for “Thirteen Reasons Why” and publisher and fan reactions.

While Asher did receive many emails from teens who related to Hannah’s story, he also was sent some from people who thought she was weak.

But he said it’s important for people to understand not everyone is able to handle the same things.

“Everybody has different thresholds of what they can handle,” Asher said.

Before his assembly on the East Campus, where freshmen and sophomores go to school, Asher met with a group of about 25 students for a more intimate discussion of his book.

Students included members of the anti-bullying club Stand for the Silent, those who are creating an anti-bullying book for elementary schools in their English class and others who helped to spread the word about the author’s visit or especially wanted to participate in the discussion.

Two participants were freshmen Paige Johnson of Itasca and Katie Bosse of Roselle.

Both read “Thirteen Reasons Why” on their own and took a lot away from it.

“Even the small things really matter because even if it’s not a big thing, you can always go back to it,” Paige said. “Why would they say that to me? Did I do something wrong? Is there something wrong with me and myself? I think that’s just really important to remember that everyone has feelings and everyone’s a person.”

Paige and Katie are working with their Lake Park English class peers and other students from Fenton High School in Bensenville to create a superhero-themed anti-bullying book for area elementary schools.

The book includes messages about how to be a good friend, who to turn to if someone is being bullied and more.

Both girls agreed it’s important to start talking about bullying when kids are young.

“I feel like if we give it when they’re younger, they’ll be able to understand it better because younger kids tend to be more open-minded,” Katie said.

Even though the anti-bullying assemblies at Lake Park have come and gone, efforts to combat bullying at the school continue.

Students were invited to write messages about why they or other people matter as part of a display in the school hallway. They also will be placing their painted hand prints on a wall to show how they are all part of the Lake Park community.

The Stand for the Silent club at Lake Park visits the high school district’s feeder districts to talk about bullying and hosts informational tables for parents at events, said Chris Fruehling, club sponsor and counselor at the East Campus.

The club also developed an anonymous online system that allows students to report incidents of bullying.

“I don’t know that you’ll ever stamp it out, but we want to reduce it and limit it, and if it’s going on, we want kids to know that there are safe spaces,” said John Gouriotis, East Campus assistant principal for instructional services.

When Asher first began his 50 States Against Bullying campaign, he was worried about coming across as a “know-it-all.” He said he’s not a bullying expert and nothing in his book is new: It’s just spreading the message of the Golden Rule of treating others the way you’d want to be treated.

But he also recognized the importance of supporting schools in their stand against bullying.

“I would not be speaking at that school if the faculty there didn’t think this was serious stuff and didn’t think we needed to address it and address it honestly,” Asher said.

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Know more

To learn more about the author, his book and anti-bullying campaign, visit thirteenreasonswhy.com.

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Need help?

Are you or someone you know contemplating suicide? Call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).