Good News Fridays: Jetset Getset / PACER Working To End Bullying

By Nathan Young on October 25, 2013

Even though we are nearing the end of October, October is a very important month for some people who have gone through something that they wish other kids will never have to go through while in school. October is National Bullying Prevention Month and PACER has developed the National Bullying Prevention Center which aims to raise the awareness of bullying and put an end to bullying once and for all.

Bullying is not only physical like punches or kicking. Bullying can also occur via gossiping, name calling, leaving someone out on purpose, or even cyber-bullying. A person being bullied does affect that person for the rest of their life. Sadly, there have been many stories including some here in Alabama where teenagers have taken their own lives after being bullied. Bullying is something that should not be tolerated in schools or anywhere else. But it still happens today. The country music band Jetset Getset has partnered with the PACER National Bullying Prevention Center to raise awareness of the bullying issue.

The Jetset Getset song “Stronger” was made to raise awareness of bullying. The song was written to help young people who are feeling discouraged. The writer, Jennifer Eliason, shares, “The teenage years are a time when self-esteem can take a beating. We wanted to write a song about how you can rise above the challenges and the experience can make you stronger.” View the video below!

Did you know that a member of Jetset Getset was bullied while in school? Tori Little knows what it’s like to be bullied while attending school. I asked Tori a question about being bullied while in school and writing this song. Here is her response.

“I was bullied in middle school and I had a really hard time with it. I got beat up and was flipped out of my chair, and I was made fun of for the clothes I wore. I really felt alone. I wish the people I thought were my friends back then would have stood up for me. My experience being bullied made me stronger because it made me more aware of bullying. If I see somebody else being bullied now, I can help stop it.”

“When Jennifer Eliason wrote the song stronger and I heard it for the first time, it meant so much to me. I know how it feels to be bullied but I also know that anyone can make it through being bullied.”

Question: What was it like to make the “Stronger” video?

“It was a lot fun making the ‘Stronger’ video. We all made new friends and new fans while shooting it. The video can inspire teens to stay strong and that there is a light at the end of tunnel.”

I then got to ask band member Avery Eliason about writing the song and the meaning behind “Stronger.”

“The song ‘Stronger’ explains that a person who has been bullied does not have to be defined by it; they can use their inner strength to rise above it, and actually end up a stronger person because of it. It says ‘Though some people see coal, you are a diamond in the rough.’ My mom and brother wrote the song, and really, the message of the song is one my parents have always taught me– that everyone has inherent value, that trials can make you stronger, and to not let haters define who you are or bring you down.”

Question: What is your message to people who bully others?

“My message to bullies is this– treat others the way you want to be treated. If someone is different, treat that person with respect. They are somebody’s baby. And if you take the time to get to know them, it may make your life more interesting.”

I then got band member Sadie Loveland to talk about how to prevent bullying.

“Your words and actions should only lead to uplifting other people. It’s a chain reaction—if you’re nice to someone, they’re going to be nice to other people.”

Julie Hertzog from PACER is excited to work with Jetset Getset to raise awareness and stop bullying. I got a chance to ask about the PACER program, the song “Stronger”, and its mission to end bullying.

1. Why did PACER choose this particular song?

The message of STRONGER is about resilience, which is very powerful
When peers deliver the bullying prevention message to others peers, it is very
influential. The members of Jetset Getset seem very dedicated to making a difference.

2. Why target adolescents as a population subject to bullying?

Our work focuses on student to student bullying

3. What messages does PACER hope to convey in using this video and song?

That you (as a young person) are not alone, that there are people who care what happens, and that there is hope.

4. How does PACER promote anti-bullying and bullying prevention?

Founded in 2006, PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center unites, engages and educates communities nationwide to address bullying through creative, relevant and interactive resources. PACER’s bullying prevention resources are designed to benefit all students, including students with disabilities.

PACER offers digital-based resources for parents, schools, teens and youth,
including:

*   PACER.org/Bullying<http://www.pacer.org/bullying>: This is the portal page
for parents and educators to access bullying resources, which include
educational toolkits, awareness toolkits, contest ideas, promotional products
and more.
*   PACERTeensAgainstBullying<http://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/>:
Created by and for teens, this website is a place for middle and high school
students to find ways to address bullying, to take action, to be heard, and to
own an important social cause.
*   PACERKidsAgainstBullying<http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/>: A
creative, innovative and educational website designed for elementary school
students to learn about bullying prevention, engage in activities and be
inspired to take action.

In addition, we provide peer to peer resources, such as STRONGER at
http://www.pacer.org/bullying/resources/toolkits/student/jetset-getset.asp

5. Who works with PACER in advocating these messages?

Community, donors, educators, parents and students – we have broad support that ranges from donations, to people sharing PACER resources, to individuals providing resources.

A couple of examples include:
http://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/partners/
http://www.pacer.org/bullying/getinvolved/contributions/

6. Who works with PACER in advocating these messages?

Community, donors, educators, parents and students – we have broad support that ranges from donations, to people sharing PACER resources, to individuals
providing resources.

A couple of examples include:
http://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/partners/
http://www.pacer.org/bullying/getinvolved/contributions/

7. What does PACER hope to achieve in the future?

To continue to raise awareness that bullying is an issue that affects everyone,
that everyone has a role to address it – and to also provide the education,
inspiration and support to take action.

PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center will continue to work year around to raise the awareness of bullying. Some people think bullying is something that can be prevented by defending yourself, but they are so wrong! Bullying is a complex issue that can be solved quickly, if the parents, school officials, and the bully parents are made aware of the issue. Everyone must work to end bullying for good!

Learn more about the PACER National Bullying Prevention Center at: www.PACER.org/bullying. Follow the center on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/PACERsNationalBullyingPreventionCenter

Learn more about Jetset Getset at: http://www.jetsetgetset.com/ Follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/JetSet-GetSet/125139917520682 and on Twitter @JetSetGetSet.