The documentary “Teen Truth Live” is a glimpse into the causes of school violence and how teens deal with pressure from parents, teachers and peers. It points out that bullying can include spreading rumors and intimidation, and that these types of bullying can create anger in students who do not feel accepted by peers. This can lead to physical violence and in extreme cases, killing.

The film states that in a 14-year period, 151 students and 31 teachers have been killed as a result of school violence.

JC Pohl, one of the producers of the film, was at Murrieta Valley High School on Wednesday to encourage students to take a stand against bullying.

“Studies have shown it only takes one person to take a stand, but we are so afraid to engage. But if one person does it, then it can bring change,” Pohl said to the students.

Pohl and a college classmate of his, Erahm Christopher, were in their last year of college when the shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado took place on April 20, 1999. He said it forced them to look back at their own high school experiences and ask the question, “Why?”

Footage of the shootings at Columbine High School and Santana High School are shown in the film, as well as clips from five high school students who were given cameras for one year and asked to explore the topic of bullying on their own high school campuses. The result was “Teen Truth Live.” Since 2006, the film has blossomed into a national movement, with Pohl and his team traveling to schools in the U.S. and Canada, sharing the message.
San Diego:

Murrieta Valley High School students pledge to make a stand against school bullying. (Maggie Avants/SWRNN)

Following the film, Pohl asked for three students to make a stand.

Katelyn Musgrove, a 14-year-old freshman, stood in front of the student body, saying she would volunteer.

“If I see someone alone, I will invite them into my group,” Katelyn said.

“(The film) made me understand how people feel left out. I think I have felt that way sometimes. I feel bad for people that sit alone,” she said.

Many others stood, pledging to reach out to others. Students were encouraged to seek help from counselors, and to report those who they may believe have been affected by bullying.

“Teen Truth Live” will be shown Thursday at Murrieta Mesa High School and Friday at Vista Murrieta High School.

To learn more about “Teen Truth Live,” visit teentruthlive.com or search it on Facebook.

Funds to bring the film to students are from the Associated Student Body account, according to Murrieta Valley High School Activities Director Geniel Moon. It was the second year the school hosted the film, she said. Freshman and some sophomores were invited to watch it.

“If we reach one, we’ve done our job,” Moon said.

Written by: Maggie Avants
Published by: Southwest Riverside News Network, LLC
Photos by: Maggie Avants
Actual Article: Click Here

#1 WALK AWAY

Sometimes the best way to diffuse a tense or potentially violent situation is to WALK AWAY, give yourself a chance to calm down and think clearly.

Katie StamperI couldn’t wait for my blades to touch the ice! That’s when life is magical. I love to feel the cool air on my face. My soul comes alive when the music plays, and I become the music! I am mature, graceful.

But that day, I was off. My spins traveled. I fell on my jumps. My spiral was short and wobbly. I heard Coach Sandy talking, but I couldn’t concentrate. I kept smiling, but inside I knew something felt very, very wrong. My mind and heart were overwhelmed and fearful.

When I got off the ice, my mother was quiet, looking at me with red, watery eyes. I asked her why she was talking about Special Olympics and she told me, “Katie, when you were little, your father and I had you tested for a disability. The results came back that you have a disability called Mildly Mentally Handicapped.” I was shocked! I felt “less than,” sad, upset, and angry. I asked, “Is that why I get bad grades and get help in school?” She replied back, “yes.”

That day, I felt like I would never get over this horrible thing that my mother had told me! But one year later I got invited to skate in the Indiana State Special Olympic Winter Competition where I qualified to go to the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho. My mother and I were both really excited, but I knew that if I went, I’d be in the news. I knew that everybody would find out – my friends, family, and strangers. I didn’t want anybody to know about the “other side of me” because I hadn’t reconciled with my disability yet. I didn’t want people making fun of me at school or thinking differently of me.

So I had a choice: either I go and deal with the kids at school, or don’t go and deal with regret.

I decided to go and was off to training camp in Colorado to prepare.
When I got there everybody was so kind, generous and happy! I talked to a girl with fetal alcohol syndrome and told her about my learning disability. She told me that she always felt left out, like she didn’t belong. I told her that I had felt that exact same way, and that she just needed to stand up for herself and accept who she is. She gave me a hug and said, “Katie, you’re my hero!”

In Colorado, I found myself. I discovered who I am and who I want to be. But this is just the beginning of learning about the “other side of me.”

- Katie Stamper won the gold medal in figure skating in the 2009 Special Olympics. Be sure to read Part 2 of her story in October!

Directed by: Beth Delacour
David Anspaugh

Written by:
Angelo Pizzo

Based on a true story, this moving film follows the trials and tribulations of a small-town basketball team as they transform from a group of undisciplined players to state championship contenders. From the disbelievers who stand in their way, to the support they find in unlikely places, this movie made us THINK about how perseverance and a having a dream can unlock the door of possibility.

Please watch it and let us know if it made YOU think.

Parental Guidance Suggested.

“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing” – Mother Teresa

Have you ever noticed how easy it is for people to be grim verses grateful in the world? A face never lies.

Most people are afraid to show good feelings towards one another, especially when there’s no reason to be nice to a stranger. Just people watch for one hour at your local mall and count how many faces are generating kindness or warmth towards you. It’s an amazing challenge for everyone. However, you’re a constant opportunity to make someone’s day without even realizing it.

You possess genuine power to influence your neighbors and community. How? Take on the Back-To-School Challenge: Be daring and take the emotional risk to BE REAL and smile at fellow students you don’t know as you walk down the halls.

Your ability and willingness to generate a kind facial expression through a simple glance, (for no reason at all) can have a big impact on another person’s emotional state. It can make their day or even their life. Reaching out could easily help them survive another day at school or home if they are feeling lonely or depressed.

Go easy on yourself and consider this challenge a daily, weekly or monthly practice based on your own level of courage. The more you do it the easier it becomes.

And if you’re worried about giving a fake smile, try this…

Before you look at someone, think of something or someone that makes you smile. Then share that smile with the person you are looking at. They won’t know where you got your smile from, but they will definitely enjoy the benefits.

The risks in this challenge may be that a person ignores you, makes fun of your effort or looks at you in a strange way because you are catching them off guard. But most will likely return the smile.

Internally, everyone secretly wants to be seen, understood and accepted in daily life. This simple gesture acknowledges the people around you and unlocks one of the hidden ways to MAKE A DIFFERENCE and feel good about yourself, too.

- Professional Contributor Desiree Phillips is the founder of Self Esteem for Teens, a business committed to delivering programs, services and tools for living to teenagers since 1988. Their mission is to inspire and model healthy core values for young people through the use of creativity, music, media and fun themes.

As I spoke to the 1,500 student leaders I began to think about what the definition of leadership means to me. I don’t remember thinking of myself as a leader when I was on student government. I was more focused on planning the dances, the rallies, or other campus events. I never realized the power we had to enhance our school culture and connect the students on campus, so I worked hard to communicate this idea to the students at the camp.

After reflecting on the camp, I think a leader is someone who can see all the angles and understand how to properly connect all the dots.

Not everyone becomes a leader, many actually follow, but I believe everyone has this potential inside. Everyone will have to make hard decisions during their life and often times those decisions will be unpopular. True leaders have no problem bucking the trends to propose a new way of thinking, while many continue to do things always the same. If you look back through history it’s often just one person who has toppled regimes, changed societies, or evolved ways of thinking.

I believe you have to fight for what is right even if you are hated you for it. Sometimes you have to make the choice that no one else can make. I think that is what being a leader is all about.

I challenge you to reflect on your own leadership opportunities and recognize how these moments will make you stronger and more fulfilled. Are you willing to rise up and accept responsibility for those around you?

I believe you are.

Written by: JC Pohl
Photo by: JC Pohl & Jacob Rushing
Published by: TEEN TRUTH NET

Brees makes a profound statement in his book about the adversity that he’s faced over his life – from the destruction of his knee as a high school junior, to the blown-out shoulder he suffered during his last game for the Chargers, and even the recent suicide of his mother. He has risen to surmount each challenge to achieve results that made him both stronger and happier.

As I read his book, I couldn’t help but think of the thousands of students that I have met on the road that also face tremendous adversity and have found inspiration and strength in our program – from the boy in Southern California who told me TEEN TRUTH stopped him from killing someone, to the girl in Texas who told me that our stories stopped her from committing suicide, to the boy in Northern California who came up to me, poked me in the chest, and said, “never lose your passion” explaining that my passion helped him believe he would find passion in his life.

What’s ironic is the youth that say TEEN TRUTH helps them actually end up helping me. They inspire me because they wake up every morning, go to school and face overwhelming challenges every day. It is their need to learn and better themselves that helps me confront the adversity that I know lies ahead in my life.

So as the summer winds down, I encourage you to reflect on your own problems. I challenge you to recognize how overcoming these issues will make you stronger and more fulfilled. Ask yourself if you are you willing to RISE UP and accept responsibility for the change. Are you willing to allow adversity to make you stronger than you ever were before?

I believe you are.

- TEEN TRUTH Co-founder/Speaker JC Pohl (pictured at right) travels the United States every year, making a difference in the lives of thousands of teens.