More than 400 students from schools across Middlesex County gathered in Middletown Thursday for the Fourth Annual Rally for Bully-Free Communities.
Students grades five through 12 took part in several team building exercises to help build friendships with their classmates and build their own self-confidence.
The Council of Business Partners at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC) spearheaded and sponsored the event. More than 20 small business owners are members of the council.
“We wanted to make a difference in the lives of kids,” said David Director, one of the Council of Business Partners members.
There were seven different team building exercises where students had to work together to accomplish a task.
“It’s a lot of fun and I think it’s really good for teamwork because we all have to work together or else it messes up,” said Jennifer Tripp, an eighth-grade student at East Hampton Middle School.
Students heard from Mike Cicarella, a middle school student in Wallingford, who initiated a gratitude campaign at his school. He learned to look for the good, while dealing with his mother’s illness.
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Former NBC player Donny Marshall also spoke with students about his personal experiences with bullying. He wanted to share with them that they are not alone and they can choose a positive path.
