From the age of 6 to 15, I was bullied. There were many days where I would sit on the playground at school waiting for someone to want to hangout with me. No one ever came. After almost 10 years of feeling like I would never be good enough, the effects of being bullied became real. Kids who are bullied are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy, and decreased academic achievement. Kids who are bullied are also more likely to miss, skip, or drop out of school. I experienced all of these things.

Now I have made it my responsibility to change the way children view the playground. Instead of being afraid of going out to recess because you will be lonely, kids can now have faith that they will be included in all of the fun and games. I have partnered with the Kiwanis Club of Texarkana and Kiwanis International to place Buddy Benches on playgrounds all over the state of Texas.
      As a graduating senior from Carthage High School, my next step is to attend Oklahoma State University and study Sports Media. My dream is to become a sideline reporter for ESPN. Help me continue my education, career, and Buddy Bench mission by funding my pages in the Miss Texas Competition Magazine!