As a way to raise awareness to help stop and prevent bullying from occurring in the halls of the Cochrane tri-school area, three students from Cochrane High School are organizing the return of the annual group photo for Pink Shirt Day on Feb. 15, after a four-year hiatus.
Students from Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School, Manachaban Middle School, and Cochrane High School will don the colour pink and assemble at the bus parking lot that lies between all three schools. With help from Cochrane High’s creator studios program, a drone will be used to capture the sea of pink-clad students.
Although Pink Shirt Day (a day to raise awareness of bullying and promote anti-bullying behaviour) falls on Feb. 22 this year, there are no classes on that day, so the group photo is being taken earlier to accommodate students.
Grade 11 students Macy Hayes, Molly Bridle, and Katelyn Box are organizing the event alongside Cochrane High School teacher and soccer coach Carolyn McLeod.
“I think when we come together as a community, especially for Pink Shirt Day, it puts up a front [that says] ‘We’re all the same,’” Box said. “And that really goes into the whole anti-bullying concept.”
As students of all three schools, Pink Shirt Day demonstrates the deep-rooted community that has formed within the students of the tri-schools site.
“Words cannot express how much compassion and how people are up here,” Box said. “Everyone has their own cliques, but for one day, they really all come together and it really shows.”
McLeod said the trio are part of their school’s psych club and leadership team, outlining the work they are doing is incredible as it reconnects the community in several ways post-COVID.
“It’s just that idea that we could recover from the social isolation and distancing, and come back together,” McLeod said.
Despite the tall task of assembling over 1,000 students for the group photo, the team said they are doing well in their efforts. Hayes outlined the schools have been active in communicating with students about the initiative, and Bridle said the only task for students is to remember to wear a bit of pink clothing that day, no matter how small or extravagant it may be.
“It shows a united front towards bullying,” Box said. “At the end of the day, it shows a united front with the community and especially the tri-schools.”
For Hayes, she said a lot of bullying goes unnoticed as it has shifted online. With cyberbullying becoming a more prevalent problem outside of physical classrooms and hallways, she hopes this sends a message to students who are looking for support.
“Bullying happens to way too many people and it is something that needs to be stopped,” Hayes said. “When we all come together and join forces, it sends a message and could help someone stick up for themselves, their friend, or tell someone who can help.”
Bridle said it is always difficult for victims to come forward, but those who are willing to reach out have a better chance of overcoming their struggles than by facing them alone.
“It’s just being able to see that it is a safe space to ask and not constantly afraid that everyone is the same,” Bridle said.
With the event taking place in less than a week, the trio is asking every student in the tri-school area to show their support.
“Come take your picture with us,” Hayes said. “We would love to see as much pink as possible.”
