A group of Fenton high school students is putting on a performance to teach kids about the dangers of bullying, and how to stop it.
It is a surreal way to get kids to stop bullying whether online, face-to-face or through text messages, the outcome of it can be horrifying.
"The way that it's happening now is a lot different, I think it's easier now because you don't have that face to face contact, that you can send a message, Facebook or through text, it just happens," said Senior Catherine Gangi.
Fenton high school theater students have been participating in a real life play entitled Ticking, for the last three years. The play is designed at taking a closer look at the issue of school bullying.
"They've came up with their own monologues, for a lot of them from their own life experiences that they've experienced in the hallways, or others where they've seen bullying happening, two central characters are being bullied in the school, and it ends in a school shooting," said Dan Thompson, Technical Director for Fenton High School.
For many, the story hits close to home.
"It's really hard for students, I mean if you get told constantly you know getting beaten down, people telling you you're not good enough, it really does wear on you and you really do start to believe it after a while," said Senior Jessica Wilkowski.
The students have studied Columbine and other school shootings; they say an open discussion about bullying has resulted in a peaceful environment at school.
"I think it's totally changed in that there has been a lot more people thinking of what they are saying and what they are doing within our school, which has been amazing to be apart of something to change that," Gangi said.
A powerful message to kids who deal with the issue of bullying daily.
TICKING Upcoming performances:
Thursday April 15 @7:30
Friday, April 16 @ 7:30
Saturday, April 17 @ 7:30
The State Police and the Michigan Department of Education have set up a statewide school violence hotline that can be accessed anytime, 800-815-TIPS.
