A professional wrestler with a local tie makes an impression on some students at German Valley Grade School.
WWE Superstar David Otunga grew up in this area. Between all the headlocks, body slams and drop kicks the Harvard Law School grad travels around to schools in order to fight a battle outside the ring.
As a part of the anti-bullying alliance be a star Otunga travels around during his tour with the WWE speaking to students about bullying. STAR is an acronym for Show Tolerance And Respect.
It was no accident that Otunga ended up at German Valley Grade School.
"One of the students here, Paige, actually started her own Be A STAR campaign which goes along with the WWE's Be A STAR campaign. So she's starting her own local chapter which is a way to get students and parents and teachers involved, and bring awareness to bullying and try to prevent it."
Paige Reubin, whose action caught the attention of the WWE says bullying isn't a short term problem and it can affect victims later in life.
"If they keep on thinking about it almost everyday, how bad it hurt them and if they should go and say something to the person who did it to make it better."
Students shout out numerous ways to prevent and combat bullying. Telling an older person, trying to talk with the bully about your feelings and talking to a teacher were among their suggestions.
Otunga confirms that talking about it is important.
"To prevent bullying at your school, I think the biggest thing to stress is communication and awareness and to tell what students to do if they see bullying."
Its hard to imagine now but even with all the brawn and muscle, Otunga once was a victim of bullying which is why he is involved in Be A STAR.
"I was bullied when I was a child and I have a nephew that was bullied earlier this year. And so I went to his school and spoke, and its something that's just very important to me."
For more information on how to start a chapter of "Be A STAR" go to the following link:
beastaralliance.org
