Humphreys Middle School observes Violence Prevention Month
On Wednesday, Oct. 30, the students and staff of Humphreys Middle School in South Korea, gathered in the auditorium for their annual observance of Violence Prevention Month. The event aimed to raise awareness about bullying and violence prevention, fostering a culture of respect and empathy within the school community.
The program commenced with opening remarks from Assistant Principals Natalya Cho and Dawn Pilon, who emphasized the importance of standing against bullying and promoting a safe environment for all students.
A highlight of the event was the announcement of the winners of the anti-bullying classroom door decoration contest. The winners included:
5th Grade – Susan McCluskey
6th Grade – Ashleigh Conteh
7th Grade – Heather Stull
8th Grade – Jamie Nairn
Grand Mega Prize Winner – Jessica Nunes
Judging the contest were Pacific West District Superintendent Dr. Jacob Sherwood, Community Superintendent Dr. Helen Bailey, Chief of Staff James Strait, Instructional System Specialist Kaitlyn Aleong, and visiting members from DoDEA Headquarters: Josh Adams, Antoine Sharpe, and Lisa Greene.
After the contest announcement, the student master and mistress of ceremonies introduced a brief video outlining the history and objectives of the anti-bullying campaign launched by the Pacers National Bullying Prevention Center in 2006. This was followed by an engaging question and answering session by special agents Gabreil Ricks, Zachery Bruno, Lafayette Spears, and Paige Julianne Cogsdill from the General Crimes Team 1 and 2 at the Far East Field Office Criminal Investigation Division (CID) located on Camp Humphreys Army Base.
The program also featured another video from motivational speaker Jeremy Anderson, who powerfully illustrated the profound impact bullying has on students, families, schools, and communities.
The event concluded with an uplifting performance by 31 students from the Humphreys Middle School choir, 32 students from the fifth-grade choir, and 20 guitar players. They performed Taylor Swift’s song “Mean,” under the direction of music teacher Susan Ford, leaving the audience inspired.
Michael Robinson, the event organizer and administrative officer at Humphreys Middle School, expressed gratitude to all participants for their contributions to the success of the observance. He presented certificates of appreciation, signed by Assistant Principals Natalya Cho and Dawn Pilon, to the special guests from CID, choir members, and the mistress and master of ceremonies.
The observance not only highlighted the importance of violence prevention but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration among students, staff, and guests, reinforcing the school’s commitment to a safe and supportive environment.
