You've heard the bullying horror stories. Victims live in fear. It get so bad, some have even taken their own lives. A movie that gives insight into the problem is now playing in KELOLAND.
Two Huron school board members saw the movie ‘Bully’ when they attended a training and it touched them. So they took steps to show the film, free of charge, in their city. Now other communities are looking to do the same.
Not that she thinks bullying worse in Huron than anywhere else, but board member Nichole Yost wanted to make sure any community member had a chance to see the movie.
"When we saw it, it was a no brainer after that. We had to get it here," Yost said.
Donations poured in from businesses in town and the local theater showed it free of charge. One theater filled so fast, they had to open another. Hundreds ended up watching it on two different nights.
"I think everyone needs to watch it because everyone at one point in time has been in a situation where you witness bullying but you don't do anything," Huron senior Callie Tebay said.
Tebay and some of her friends say it opened their eyes. Regardless of the prevalence of bullying, after watching the movie, they want to see more people advocate for it to end.
"It definitely portrayed what some students go through when they get bullied and what happens that people don't realize," Huron senior Lexy Chase said.
After the success in Huron, other communities are asking how they can bring the movie to their town.
Board member Yost calls it humbling considering the impact it had on her. Students we talked with said they're sure it will impact any community where it's shown.
"I think it will because it brought a lot more attention to it," Huron senior Megan Mead said.
And bullying is something they're now keeping their eyes open for.
Yost says schools that have contacted her to receive more information about bringing the movie to their communities span the state.
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