Local Students Create Compelling Film
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Standing up against bullying has become a huge mission for some Fargo North students.
The Gay Straight Alliance group at the school has created a video for a nationwide contest.
The group of 5 made a short film for the No Bull Nation Challenge.
They hope that with this movie they can spread the word on anti–bulling and discrimination.
Students across the nation face bulling every day in school. The Nation Youth Association says that LBGT teens are bullied 2 to 3 times more than straight teens.
Emily King who performs in the short film said, “Last semester in school i always heard the term oh that’s so gay and it’s really hard to see how people can be so negative and use it in such a negative term.”
With an idea to enter the No Bull Nation Challenge, these students wanted to make their entry a story, one that students can connect to.
Alex Rezac who directed said, “Your parents can’t always help you with that. If they haven’t gone through that they just can’t relate to that.”
After weeks in the making, the video was out for the world to see, and the GSA received feedback from their peers.
Writer and Editor Spencer Boecher said, “It opened a lot of people’s eyes to actually what happens not only for the transgender scenario but like bullying in general and trying to like accept yourself.”
Another actor in the film Kenzie Sturm said, “He said just watching this video opened his eyes and what he can do and how to tell his parents.”
These students say, it was worth all the hard work.
“It’s just amazing that we can do this and possibly help them and save their lives,” said Sturm.
And as a group they say no matter who you are, you need to do one thing.
Ashley Cooper who played the bully said, “Making fun of you don’t let that get you down because then what are you feeling? You know feeling comfortable with your body and feeling comfortable with who you are as a person is definitely really important.”
If they win, the students will make a trip to L.A. for the awards.
You can vote once a day until May 3rd.
