South Tahoe High focuses on the power of words #IAMNOT

Over 100 South Tahoe High students, teachers and staff participated in a demonstration of the power of words on the campus today. I AM NOT was the theme of t-shirts worn for the day.

"The project focuses on the power of words and the fact that they can negatively affects all of us," said Principal Chad Houck. "These words are often the language of bullies, the reason kids miss school, and sometimes even the reason our students find little worth in themselves."

The ALLY Club at STHS asked students to create t-shirts refuting the names people have been called to help them move past the role of victim. Ally is the gay/straight alliance club at the school that promotes acceptance of everyone.

The shirts had the words "I AM NOT" on the front along with a hurtful word they've been called. It was eye opening to many of the students to see what their fellow students have had to endure.

"We played the song "I'm GOOD!" all over campus today to encourage kids to move beyond the word on their shirt and to find a way not to allow the bully any more power," said teacher, and ALLY advisor Bridey Heidel. "The backs of many of the shirts expressed positive messages: I AM AWESOME, I AM HUMAN, I AM LOVED!"