Meet Student State Representative Giselle, Be Strong’s July 2023 Student of the Month!
From a 2-pound, 6-ounce preemie to one of Be Strong’s toughest representatives, 11-year-old Giselle is a future force to be reckoned with. Giselle has experienced bullying for much of her school career, going back as far as preschool. Up until her time at Be Strong, Giselle used her family members as support through the difficult times. She said, “When I felt sad I would hug a toy, tell a grown up, a friend or a sibling. My brother and sister give excellent hugs. I know that I can talk to my family members about anything.”
Now that the Elmhurst, New York, seventh grader is a Be Strong Student Representative, she is building an extensive skillset for dealing with social aggression and other stressors. “I have used the Be Strong App to connect, learn, and get better at sharing my thoughts and opinions. People are hurting every day but Be Strong gives students social and emotional help.”
Giselle is also learning to use her voice. In the past, she has been fearful to speak up for herself in uncomfortable situations. She said, “I kind of still have a fear and so sometimes I don’t speak up for myself. But I’m becoming more brave.”
While advocating for herself might still be a work in process, Giselle is committed to learning and growing through her time at Be Strong. She attends several meetings each month with her fellow Student Reps and is building new relationships. Despite the recent devastating loss of her father, Giselle was able to open up to the larger group about what she was going through and feeling.
Giselle hopes to create opportunities in her virtual school community that could contribute to the emotional, mental, and relational health space. She said, “I would like to see more events where people can meet over the computer so that they can get to know each other, make new friends and even if they are very far that would not matter. Bullying makes others feel sad or even mad. I think that it is so important to teach others what to do when these things are happening.”
Giselle would like to thank all the Be Strong donors out there for supporting her through some really hard times and creating a safe space where she is learning to use her voice!
To learn more about Be Strong’s free programs, email getstarted@bestrong.org. To nominate a student to lead change with Be Strong’s innovative student volunteer program, visit nominate.bestrong.global today.
