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On February 8, students at the C. J. Hooker Middle School in Goshen watched as Magician James Warren ripped a newspaper to shreds.

Warren cited to students the issues he’d read concerning today’s teens, especially bullying and peer pressure. He then began folding and ripping, folding and ripping, and then to the awe of students, presented the full paper without a single tear.

Warren’s magic performance reinforced powerful messages about the effects of bullying and peer pressure. He explained that bullies are small on the inside, so in order to make themselves feel “big,” they’ll put you down and make you feel small. One of his illusions reiterated this message. Warner selected two members of the audience: a small guy to portray a bully, and a bigger guy to portray his victim. Warner spun a wheel that created the illusion of the tiny bully looking larger than he really is, and vice versa.

“The members of the PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization) searched for the right kind of message assembly that students would want to listen to,” said MaryAnn Garcia, vice-president. “We knew it had to be fun in order for students to absorb the information, and the message of anti-bullying is valuable for our students.”

The assembly concluded with a discussion of what to do if you or someone you know is being bullied. The administrators, teachers and staff at the C. J. Hooker Middle School encourage all students to approach them if you witness or are a victim of bullying.

There are a number of clubs and activities that help promote leadership skills, problem solving and build compassion and tolerance, including:

• Boys Leadership Group (grades 7 and 8) – This club is open to boys who want to develop strong leadership skills, receive mentoring and participate in team-building and leadership activities.
   
• Girls Leadership Group (grades 7 and 8) – This club is open to girls who want to develop strong leadership skills, receive mentoring and participate in team-building and leadership activities. Participate in career shadowing, community-service and fund-raising programs; listen to women as guest speakers who have leadership roles in the community and participate in related field trips.
   
• Peer Mediation – This program consists of student volunteers who are trained to assist other students in resolving conflict. Peer mediators attend an 8 to12 hour training session where they develop listening skills and conflict management techniques.
   
• Service Club – Service Club runs activities that give service to our school and community. Some activities include food drives, courtyard gardening, collections for those in need and more. Students learn to help others, beautify our school and work together for the greater good.
   
• Student Government – Members actively participate in identifying, researching, analyzing and resolving issues and concerns in the school community and beyond. Important cooperation and leadership skills will be developed.
   
• Young Hispanic Leadership – Through a variety of hands-on, interactive, community service and awareness-raising, mentoring, guest speaker and field trip activities, we seek to build strong leadership skills and a sense of pride for people of Hispanic descent and the Hispanic culture.

For more information on these clubs, visit the Clubs and Activities link.