Color Me Orange—Color Me Kind: Bullying? An Unlikely Target

Pamela working with metal artisan Steve Umstead on Color Me Orange—Color Me Kind Trevor said, “Mom, I’m switching high school. Find me a new one.”

Shocked, his mother, Tammy, said, “What?!”

“Sorry, Mom, I’m not discussing it. Just find me a new high school.”

Tammy’s son was a talented soccer player. He had been pulled up to the varsity team as a 10th grader. But because of the state athletic rules, switching high schools would have direr consequences; her son would have to sit the bench for an entire athletic season. His decision, however, was final; their discussion was over.

The following year at Trevor’s new high school, Tammy watched her son sit the bench game after game. After each game, Trevor struggled to keep up his morale. Thankfully, somehow, he survived that difficult soccer season.

Trevor went on the play soccer the following year. At the last game of his senior year, Trevor’s team played his old high school—two historic rivals. After losing the game, Trevor said, “Mom, they’re still real ‘haters.’”

Apparently, the other players targeted Trevor with abusive attacks throughout the game. Tammy tried to asked Trevor what happened. But Trevor answered, “Sorry, Mom, like I said, I’m not discussing it.”

Tammy’s son didn’t fit the mold for the usual reasons for bullying—religion, status, nationality, physical or mental disabilities. Bullying doesn’t always fit a pattern or make sense. But bullying hurts and its victims are the ones who pay the price.

According to the CyberBully Hotline, three million kids are absent from school each month due to bullying. No student is exempt. Bullying can affect anyone. Tammy’s son switched high schools because of bullying. But what about the students who can’t move or switch schools. How do they cope?

For reasons of security, names have been changed.