Welcome to Ohio
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Nickname
The Buckeye State; Birthplace of Aviation; The Heart of It All
Motto
With God, All Things are Possible
Your State Representatives
- Marissa M.
- Caleb K.
- Callie G.
- Aiden L.
- Tarasia P.
- Carrissa L.
- Alanna H.
- Blaize S.
- Haile C.
- Arianna S.
- Victoria F.
State Representative Marissa M.
“I’m a proud Be Strong Leader.”
-Marissa
Why Marissa M. was Nominated:
Marissa joined the organization last year while she was in the fourth grade. She assisted two sixth grade students with an after school program for eight weeks, educating students in kindergarten through sixth grade about the types of bullying, ways we can handle various situations, etc. This year, Marissa helped toorganize a One Legat a Time week focusing onbeing your own superhero, celebrating cultures, wearing colors that represent you, mixing and matching while not caring what others think and ofcourse offering students the chance to wear black and green to show support against our cause. She also organizes and leads an after school program this year for students in kindergarten through sixth grade, extending itto ten weeks. Although Marissa has not been bullied herself, she has had people be mean and rude to her. She knows how to think through situations and prevents circumstances from turning into bullying. As a close observer to those around her, she sees that this is not easy for everyone. She is secure instanding up for others and feels comfortable relying on trusted adults to follow through on situations. I am amazed at the commitment she has toward the program. She is great with managing her time, communicating, organizing, presenting, and remaining on the same level as those she educates, all while having fun. I highly nominate my student, Marissa, for Champions of Change.
My Community Voice
Below is a collection of my community engagement and random acts of kindness. Help me to get the word out and share this with your friends.
State Representative Caleb K.
“I take my smile, my outgoing personality and my positive outlook with me everywhere I go, so I can be a part of the change I want to see in the world.”
-Caleb
Why Caleb was Nominated:
I asked Caleb if it would be ok for me to nominate him to be a state representative. He was very excited as we watched and participated in the Be Strong LIVE event this fall. I asked that if he really wanted to be a state representative, why it was important to him to end bullying, and here is what he submitted to me:
“I would like to see an end to bullying in my school. Kids are often bullied because they are different in the way they look, act, dress and sometimes for their skin color. The person bullying them feels like they have power, they feel like they are better. I would like to see students at my school embrace the differences of one another. I feel that we can all learn from each other and our differences. Then, bullying may stop because we would all be accepted for our own personal value. I have sat with the student who sat alone and stepped in before when I saw someone being bullied.”
This young man has a great heart and would be an asset to be an Ohio Representative for your organization. Thank you!
My Community Voice
Below is a collection of my community engagement and random acts of kindness. Help me to get the word out and share this with your friends.
State Representative Callie G.
“Well, it’s not over yet, let’s go!”
-Callie
Why Callie was Nominated:
Callie will be a terrific leader of We Dine Together at Indian Hill Schools. She is a warm and funny person, a wonderful story teller and shares terrific knowledge with all people that she encounters. Callie has an inclusive spirit that will help others feel comfortable and build community. I am excited to see her do this and share her spirit with others in the school.
My Community Voice
Below is a collection of my community engagement and random acts of kindness. Help me to get the word out and share this with your friends.
State Representative Aiden L.
“I believe that students shouldn’t feel insecure and lonely daily.”
-Aiden
Why Aiden was Nominated:
Last year, Aiden approached me on his own accord asking if I would help him to start a We Dine Together club at our school. Walnut Hill has over 3000 students and Aiden, as a student with Autism, knows firsthand how overwhelming it can be to sit in the large cafeteria. Aiden presented his mission to me and expressed that he wanted to make sure that every student at Walnut Hills has a friend to sit with in the lunchroom. Aiden is an academically strong leader who has worked hard this summer to spearhead a We Dine Together club at our school. He is a kind, confident and inspiring student who is always thinking of what he can do for others. I can’t think of a better student to be the face of this club at our school and hope you’ll consider him as a representative.
My Community Voice
Below is a collection of my community engagement and random acts of kindness. Help me to get the word out and share this with your friends.
State Representative Tarasia P.
“I choose to Be Strong in my school, community and in the hearts of those around me by spreading God’s love, random acts of kindness and uplifting others when I can.”
-Tarasia
Why Tarasia was Nominated:
I am nominating Tarasia because she exemplifies great leadership qualities. She comes to school every day with a positive attitude ready to work. When she is not in the classroom or doing extracurricular activities, she is busy volunteering as a teacher’s aide in one of the kindergarten classrooms. I have no doubt that Tarasia will succeed as a state rep!
My Community Voice
Below is a collection of my community engagement and random acts of kindness. Help me to get the word out and share this with your friends.
State Representative Carrissa L.
” I choose to Be Strong by encouraging others to be kind to everyone around them.”
-Carrissa
Why Carrissa was Nominated:
I would like to Nominate Carrissa for Be Strong’s We Dine Together program. I have carefully chosen Carrissa because she has actively participated in our Anti-Bullying program since she was in 7th grade. With Carrissa’s drive and desire to promote student kindness and student safety at school, we have decreased bullying significantly. With her help, we have also been able to organize and hold school wide activities that have overall been very successful and has been a positive experience for students at school. I would like to see our program grow into something much more and so would Carrissa! Carrissa has recently approached me to see if there were new ideas we could incorporate into our currently existing program. I was at a counselors’ conference this year and listened to a fellow counselor and her students share how wonderful of an experience We Dine Together has been for the student members of WDT, as well as the powerful impact it has had on their school. When sharing the Be Strong website and student stories with Carrissa, she immediately became excited to learn more about the Be Strong movement, take leadership in it, and be prepared to roll it out as a brand new program for next school year! I also chose Carrissa because she possesses natural leadership abilities and easily draws in other students to get excited about activities that promote positive school climate. Carrissa is also a kind, hearted, student who looks for ways to get to know students who are new or may not have a lot of friends to help them feel welcomed at school. Her smile and kind gestures easily make other students feel comfortable and cared about. Lastly, Carriss wants to work hard to solve issues that exist at our school so students enjoy being at NCA and feel free from bullying and being alone. I feel confident in nominating Carrissa and proud to have her join the other student nominees representing the state of Ohio I can not think of another student that would make this program a big success at our 7th-12th grade school!
My Community Voice
Below is a collection of my community engagement and random acts of kindness. Help me to get the word out and share this with your friends.
State Representative Alanna H.
“I choose to Be Strong every day by evaluating my thoughts & actions, making sure that I am kind to others, and others are kind to each other.”
-Alanna
Why Alanna H. was Nominated:
Alanna has been searching for ways to improve school culture and make all students feel welcome. We came across Be Strong and the movement We Dine Together and the students instantly loved the idea. Alanna is an amazing individual and phenomenal team member.
My Community Voice
Below is a collection of my community engagement and random acts of kindness. Help me to get the word out and share this with your friends.
State Representative Blaize S.
“I want to set an example for future generations of not only how to be an exemplary citizen, but person.”
-Blaize
Why Blaize S. was Nominated:
Blaize is outgoing student body leader (class cabinet) that is well liked and respected by her peers. She is energetic and intelligent, and very well rounded.
My Community Voice
Below is a collection of my community engagement and random acts of kindness. Help me to get the word out and share this with your friends.
State Representative Haile C.
“I want to put an end to byllying here at our school. I’ve personally dealt with it and I want to make students feel welcome, safe, and enjoy school when they come here.”
-Haile
Why Haile was Nominated:
Haile is an active student here at Hilliard Darby High School. She is a cheerleader and on the Junior Cabinet and she challenges herself academically. I think Haile will make a great ambassador because when she notices a student who is feeling isolated or alone, she reaches out to him/her to invite them into her circle. Haile wants nothing more than a culture of kindness in school. She has made a very conscientious effort this year to be kind and to do the right thing.
My Community Voice
Below is a collection of my community engagement and random acts of kindness. Help me to get the word out and share this with your friends.
State Representative Arianna S.
“We as individuals need to motivate and inspire others to take a stand against bullying.”
-Arianna
Why Arianna was Nominated:
I believe Arianna is a good candidate as she is a leader in our school. Every morning she works with two other students, to help a variety of teachers get ready for their day. Arianna is an outspoken student that will say what needs to be said in a very respectful way. She is always including others and is someone we look to to help new students in our school find their way and feel included. As a leader, she strives to always do her best and cares about others.
My Community Voice
Below is a collection of my community engagement and random acts of kindness. Help me to get the word out and share this with your friends.
State Representative Victoria F.
“It’s amazing how a little act of kindness can go a long way”
-Victoria
Why Victoria F. was Nominated:
I am one of the school counselors and I am nominating Victoria. Victoria is one of the strongest girls I have worked with. She has dealt with a lot of challenges in her life, and unfortunately she has experienced a lot ofbullying in middle and high school. She fought through this time with help from counselors and her family, and she is doing extremely well her senior year. She had straight A’s her first semester and she isworking on programs within and outside ofschool to help empower others who have experience bullying. She is a perfect example of a “champion for change in our community” and I am proud tobe her counselor!!
My Community Voice
Below is a collection of my community engagement and random acts of kindness. Help me to get the word out and share this with your friends.
Download the Be Strong App to Connect with Local Resources
Help Us Understand Bullying in Your State
#icanbestrong
Want to Become A State Representative?
Current Student Resources
Why the 3 LOLs Exercise Deserves a Spot in Your Self-Care Routine
Humor is an often overlooked self-care tool.
They Told Me to Kill Myself: Advice for Parents and Students
Bullied kids need to know how to respond when told to end their lives.
Finding the Awesomeness in Bad Situations
Have you ever struggled with self-doubt or just felt stuck in a rut? Of course you have! We all have. It’s awful… but it doesn’t have to be.