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DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. Blue shirts filled the hallways of Dobbs Ferry High School on Monday as students showed supported the school's anti-bullying efforts on Blue Shirt Day.
Amy Stiefel, a senior at Dobbs Ferry High School, is a teen ambassador for the anti-bullying organization STOMP Out Bullying and was an integral part in Blue Shirt Day in Dobbs Ferry. Stiefel said bullying is a personal issue for her, which is why shes so involved with it.
I was bullied in middle school and I just felt like it was something I dont want anyone else to go through," she said. "I felt like its really important to raise awareness for this cause to make sure this stops around schools."
Sandra Hacker, a guidance counselor for sixth to ninth graders at the middle school and high school, said it was an important day, though its just the beginning of an anti-bullying campaign in Dobbs Ferry.
Blue shirt day is a way for us as a school to be unified, to do something together, Hacker said. I think we mostly see it as a kickoff because we do stuff throughout the year.
Students around the school seemed eager to wear the same color for a day, Hacker said, and that enthusiasm helps even more students.
I think days like today, and just the entire program, I think we meet the needs of all these different personalities, she said.
Blue Shirt Day isnt the only anti-bullying initiative in Dobbs Ferry. Stiefel said she and her classmates do plenty of little things throughout the year. To help promote a sense of belonging, Stiefel and others baked some fresh treats for underclassmen recently.
We just went around to all the freshmen classes and gave out cookies to them and they were not expecting that at all, she said.
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