Oklahoma Students Pledging to 'Stand for the Silent'

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Students across Oklahoma are taking a pledge to "stand for the silent" and stop bullying.

Their promise to stop bullying follows the death of 11-year-old Ty Field. The Perkins boy committed suicide this year after a long struggle with a school bully.

His dad, Kirk Smalley, is working as much as one man can to bring attention to the problem that's often overlooked.

"I have to make a difference. I promised my son on Father's Day this year I'd stop this from happening to another child," Smalley said.

The student group Upward Bound has also joined the cause against bullying and gathered on Tuesday at Western Heights High School for a program called "Stand for the Silent." They're asking their classmates to make a pledge this school year to stand up against bullies and stop it from happening to others.

On stage were five chairs that each represented students who have taken their lives because of a bully.

"The world is begging for a change. Its children are dying for it. Mine did," Smalley said.

In addition to guest speakers and videos, the group also sold arm bracelets to help promote peace on school campuses. Students in participating schools were asked to sign pledge cards.

The program, only weeks old, is already catching on in 35 other countries.

A silent vigil is planned for August 24 on the lawn of the Oklahoma State Capitol at 7 p.m. The Western Heights School District said it will fill 40 school buses of people to bring to the rally, and they challenge other districts around the state to do the same.

More: 

• Family Blames Bullying for Son's Suicide