 By S. Hatt, 16, HRM
Some teens take bad experiences at school (bullying) and use it to hurt themselves or to hurt others. Not Stacie Lynn. Here's her story.
Stacie Lynn's challenges started when she was around seven years old. She was being bullied at school - nothing nasty at the start, but what they refer to as social bullying. She was shunned by the " In" groups and just plain ignored by other children. By late elementary, it evolved into more verbal bullying with the use of hurtful names and making fun of her clothes, hair or anything personal. At the start of junior high, the bullying was escalating to a more physical type. The other kids (mostly girls) would push Stacie Lynn at her locker, shove her in a line or just bump and bang into her in the school hallway because it made their other friends laugh - at her expense.
Her parents would have to make special arrangements with the teachers for school trips. The arrangements were for seating on the bus or room placement or they would sometimes just hide a cell phone in her bag so she could call home if the situation became intolerable.
By the end of grade eight, these bullies believed they had the right to physically touch Stacie Lynn in any way they wanted. One day on the way home from school on the bus, Stacie Lynn was struck in the face by one of these girls and while Stacie Lynn's best friend tried to console her and keep her from crying, they set the best friend's coat on fire with a lighter. After the RCMP were contacted and the involved girls expelled from school, the friends of these girls started with constant threats of violence.
Can you imagine living through this every day? So why tell this story? What is the difference for Stacie Lynn vs. any other child experiencing bullying in the school systems? For Stacie Lynn, her outcome is different. She has taken all of these bad experiences and channeled them into words and music. Stacie Lynn wants other children, teens and adults to know that bullies don't have to win. You can always take your experiences and turn them into something positive.
Stacie Lynn's first song "Beautiful" was written at age 14 for her mother as a thank you for the years of support. She now has written nine songs with five of them recorded into demos and on her web site. www.myspace.com/stacielynnhatt or www.sonicbids.com/stacielynnhatt.
The bullying still happens today. However, she just takes all the hurt and promotes it into her true passion - music. Check out her newest release single "She's Amazing." |
