The Tracy High Bulldog Project (BDP) and Kimball High Jaguar Project (JHP), both school’s anti-bullying clubs teamed up for their first presentation of the year on Thursday, Jan.16 at Jefferson Middle School. The event, aimed at educating seventh and eighth graders on bullying prevention and mental health awareness.
The presentation began with members of both clubs cheering and hyping up the middle schoolers as they entered the gym. This high energy kickoff set the tone for the rest of the event.
After the entrance, both clubs took the stage to introduce themselves, including their club officers and what their clubs stand for. The crowd watched as members of the Bulldog Project and Jaguar Project, shared videos highlighting what high school life will be like. These videos aimed to reassure students about the transition to high school, especially regarding bullying and mental health challenges.
Kavin Satishkumar, BDP president and senior at Tracy High, spoke about the importance of these presentations.
“I think that this presentation will have a impact on the kids,” Satishkumar said. “I saw how excited they were getting throughout the presentation, and I believe this will be something they will continue to remember.”
Club members known as the “Hype Squad” also engaged the students directly by throwing bracelets and T-shirts into the crowd, adding to the excitement. Later, a “Green Shirt Skit,” performed by the BDP students, humorously tackled the issue of standing up against bullying.
A key part of the event was a talk about mental health presented by Kimball students who have struggled with their own mental health, emphasizing the importance of seeking support when needed. The clubs also introduced their “Stop, Block, Save, and Tell” motto, a guide for students to safely handle bullying situations. Additionally, a discussion on social media highlighted the dangers of online bullying and how to stay safe in the digital world.
Susana Mascarenhas, vice president of BDP and a sophomore at Tracy High, shared the change she hopes the club will make.
“I hope that by continuing to present at middle schools and elementary schools, we will make a safer school environment,” Mascarenhas said. “We want to provide support for younger kids that might not feel seen or heard by the people in their communities.”
One of the most impactful moments was a skit by the Kimball High Club about social cliques, showing how these groups can create division and exclusion in schools.
The Boys and Girls Club staff also participated, offering speeches that reinforced the message of creating a supportive and inclusive school environment. To close the event, the students participated in a Q&A session, where they competed for prizes while asked questions about bullying prevention and how to get involved in their own schools
Makenna Huggins, a first-year member of the Bulldog Project and senior at Tracy High expressed how she felt after participating in her first presentation.
“I’m so excited to be part of this club,” Huggins shared. “I know I’ll make so many new friends and memories, and I am happy to know my younger sister gets to look up to me as a role model when we present at her school next.”
The Bulldog Project will continue its outreach at Tom Hawkins Middle School on Feb. 28th, spreading its message of kindness and inclusivity to more students in the community.
