NEWPORT NEWS — Students, school staff and community leaders met in Newport News this week to talk about how to spot bullying and what to do when it happens. The gathering, organized by student volunteer group ASEZ Star, brought together a cross-section of voices — from high school students to mental health professionals — focused on preventing harassment in and out of the classroom.
Student-led effort aims to broaden awareness
The forum was moderated by ASEZ Star volunteer Eliza Stephens, who emphasized that bullying takes many shapes and often slips past adults because it’s mistaken for routine student conflict. Stephens highlighted the increasing role of digital platforms in creating new avenues for harassment, saying that cyberbullying and in-person bullying require different responses but the same seriousness.
“It goes unnoticed because people see it usually as just student conflict, but it is bullying,” Stephens said.
The student group presented its "Shoulder to Shoulder" campaign as a framework for collaboration between students and trusted adults. The campaign emphasizes reporting, bystander responsibility and safer school climates.
Who took part and what they focused on
Organizers said the forum included students, local educators, community leaders and mental health professionals. Discussion topics included recognition of subtle forms of bullying, steps for reporting incidents and ways schools and families can work together to reduce harm.
- Recognize varied forms of bullying — online and in person
- Encourage reporting to adults in positions of authority
- Build partnerships between students and community leaders
| Participant groups | Role at forum |
|---|---|
| Students | Shared experiences, helped shape campaign focus |
| Local educators | Discussed school policies and reporting channels |
| Community leaders | Outlined community support and prevention strategies |
| Mental health professionals | Advised on impacts and support for victims |
| ASEZ Star | Hosted and promoted the "Shoulder to Shoulder" campaign |
Local context and next steps
For Newport News families, the forum underlines a broader statewide focus on school climate and student well-being. While the session did not announce specific district policy changes, it served as a platform for students and adults to align on practical steps: reporting concerns to school officials, documenting incidents and expanding student-led prevention efforts.
Organizers urged peers who witness or experience bullying to notify someone in authority rather than dismissing the behavior as routine disagreements. As Stephens put it, reporting is not "tattling" but a way to ensure appropriate action.
The ASEZ Star event offers a snapshot of how local volunteers and professionals are trying to reduce harm in schools by combining youth leadership, professional guidance and community involvement. Newport News schools and families now face the task of turning these conversations into lasting practices that protect students both in hallways and online.
