Bethany Richeson

Richeson’s winning program idea, “No More Bullies”, is a comprehensive anti-bullying program in which the entire  seven-school Kannapolis City Schools District can participate. By incorporating the Second Chance/Steps to Respect program, district educators of kindergarten through fifth-grade students can effectively integrate anti-bullying lessons into their curriculum through books and lessons in the English and Social Studies curriculum. Students will learn how to recognize and effectively combat bullying. They also will be taught how to report bullying as well as how to handle it when someone you know is being bullied. Middle and high school students will participate in the Rachel’s Challenge Program, a national anti-bullying program named in memory of one of the victims of the Columbine School Shooting and have access to a support club called FOR: Friends of Rachel. Ultimately, the program will help build confidence and teamwork throughout the district, encouraging students to learn how to work together in various groups. Richeson, who lives in Concord, hopes that students feel safer at school because of the implementation of her program idea.