When Grade 11 Richmond student Kelsha Wong was tasked with submitting a design for the ERASE Bullying poster contest, she wanted to highlight just how far bullying can reach.
With her gender and race-neutral design, Wong was chosen as this year’s winner of the annual poster contest.
“I really just wanted to make a poster that showcased bullying in terms of how it affects anyone,” Wong told the Richmond News. “I chose not to add any gender or any race to any of my characters in it because I wanted to really focus on the fact that bullying does affect anyone.”
Each year, Richmond students aged five to 18 are called upon to show their creative side while spreading awareness of how to eliminate bullying in an annual poster contest. This year’s theme is “create connection.”
As the winner, the R.C. Palmer student’s design will be reproduced and launched throughout the community, online and on social media to promote Pink Shirt Day on Feb. 28, 2019. This year’s focus of the nation-wide anti-bullying campaign is cyberbullying, which Wong says is an important issue to address.
“Social media’s become such a vital part of our lives,” she said, adding that people will hide behind the “protective barrier” of social media to say things they may not otherwise say to someone in person.
“You can talk behind someone’s back so easily,” she said.
Overall, Wong said she hopes her poster sends a strong message.
“I want people to know that if you are being bullied, there’s always people around you that want to help you,” Wong said. “And don’t be a bystander. If you see something happening or if you feel something is wrong, then stand up for somebody in need.”
