Wenatchee High School students created an anti-bullying video clip through DON’T WAIT to UnMake a Bully that premiered Nov. 5 at the Performing Arts Center of Wenatchee.

The program has traveled across Washington, New York, and Australia, helping students take a stand against bullying by making public service announcements. GEAR UP of WHS, Foothills Middle School and Lincoln Elementary School submitted applications to be a part the program and were chosen from the Wenatchee School District.

GEAR UP recruited students and 13 participated.

“We really need to take a stand on [bullying], most of us see what happens and just let it slip by, but if we don’t take a stand it’s just going to get worse; it isn’t going to go away,” said Liliana Fausto, senior and director of the film.

Being able to educate students about bullying and help them stand against it wasn’t GEAR UP’s only reason for wanting to be involved.  “These kids were going to have the opportunity to be involved in making a PSA [public service announcement] that would be seen worldwide, it really was the career focus,” said Angela Prater, GEAR UP site supervisor.

The students decided to do their video about cyberbullying and bullying against homosexuals. “A lot of teenagers our age are facing a problem with [cyberbullying] and it’s a problem that needs to be taken care of,” said senior Emma Lopez.

DON’T WAIT to UnMake a Bully is a collaboration of the DON’T WAIT Project and How to UnMake a Bully. The DON’T WAIT project focuses on teaching people that they can improve their lives by taking control and not making excuses to hold them back.

“It was a way to impact the community where I live and he lives, and worldwide as it spread,” said Lisa Bradshaw, founder of the DON’T WAIT Project. The group is working on expanding and going to Texas and California.

Mike Feurstein, CEO and co-founder of the program, teaches students to make the film and Bradshaw helps with the process as well. The entire video was written, filmed, produced, directed, and acted in by WHS students.

“I have been very impressed by the work ethic at all the schools, and the bravery shown by many students this year in tackling topic that may not be easy to do,” said Feurstein.

The premiere of the video was open to the public with the students’ hope to teach people about standing up against bullies and accepting people as they are.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe and have a safe environment to be in,” said Lopez.