Hundreds of students took a stand against bullying Friday as part of the iChoose2live anti-bullying and suicide prevention campaign.
Students were bused to the Sharon Baptist Church in the Wynnefield Heights section of Philadelphia for the morning rally. They watched the award-winning play When the Smoke Cleared, listened to the HBO Brave New Voices Team and heard the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement perform as part of iChoose2live's national movement.
"I guess I just want to learn how to be more positive," said student Alaina Haschak.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for Americans ages 15 to 24, with many allegedly due to bullying, the advocacy group says.
iChoose2live, founded by Shenille Melton, encourages students to find their passions and purpose in life through art, education and community outreach.
"Maybe they don't have money -- maybe they live in a terrible neighborhood -- but if you just persevere and you keep going life is worth living and you have plenty of options -- especially through art," said Melton.
On Saturday, anyone over the age of 12 is invited to attend another production of When the Smoke Cleared, Melton's production exploring many of the issues Americans face such as suicide, HIV, parenting and drug abuse that won second runner up in the Philly Urban Theatre Festival.
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The production is free for those who attend and will start at 7 p.m. at the Sharon Baptist Church.
