Watkins Mill High School held its first BMX anti-bullying assembly on Tuesday, November 12, during third period in the gymnasium. The assembly included testimonials about bullying, the distribution of free t-shirts, and risky stunts with (tentatively) willing faculty. The host emphasized the importance of preventing bullying, outlined cyberbullying as the most pervasive and dangerous form, and encouraged students to follow their passions.
The assembly lasted 55 minutes and featured four performers: Trevor Meyer, Logan Place, Mason Ritter, and Jared Wiedower. These performers are part of the No Hate Tour program, which has been running for the past 25 years. For 16 of those years, the United States Marine Corps has sponsored the program, allowing it to be offered to schools at no cost. The tour travels nationwide, educating students about the importance of anti-bullying while showcasing BMX bike performances.
BMX biker Jared Wiedower, from Milwaukee, began biking when he was around ten. He explained that he loves participating in the No Hate Tour because of its positive impact on students. “This company came to my high school when I was a junior in 2017… I begged them to let me join, so ever since then, I’ve been a part of it,” he shared. Wiedower’s top advice for those being bullied is to “not listen… don’t think too much, don’t think too little.”
