Hopkinton vigil sheds a light on bullying

HOPKINTON About 200 people gathered to shed a light on bullying and to demonstrate they care about their community.

On Monday, the third annual Shed a Light on Bullying event started at the Hopkinton Middle and High Schools. Marchers proceeded to the Maple Street School where more people joined, and then headed to the Jane Lewellen Bandstand in Riverway Park in Contoocook.

A ceremony at the bandstand included senior Simeon Marklin, who talked about bullying and how the Hopkinton community comes together. Nate Platt read his award-winning sixth-grade essay about the effects of cyberbullying.

The Maple Street School Performing Arts Club sang James Taylors Youve Got a Friend.

It was nice to see so many people coming together to care about others, said School Superintendent Steven Chamberlin.

Fourth-grader Hannah Peece said, I liked how as a community we were sharing the light and spreading the light and spreading the word.

Michelle Bickford, co-leader of the Performing Arts Club, said the message for all was ... not (to) be a bystander when you see someone having difficulties with another person, and looking out for each other and knowing that we have each other... .

Many of the students gained awareness and inspiration.

Maddy Sollansbee, a fifth-grader, said, I learned bullying is something that can be defeated by tons of people speaking and standing up for (those) who are being bullied.

I think tonight taught me that bullying is more than just a punch in the face, said fifth-grader Anna Locke. There is always a way you can stop it.

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Hopkinton vigil sheds a light on bullying