Give your students easy-to-use tools to help them not only survive verbal, mental and physical bullying, but thrive. Delivered by Victor Vargas, rapper/songwriter/producer and author of, ALMOST BULLIED TO DEATH, Vargas shares his powerful story of overcoming bulling in elementary, middle and high school. He was bullied not only by white kids, but also by Mexican students who taunted him for being Mexican-American. He was in so much pain he began cutting and contemplating ending his life. He sought solace by joining a gang which led to him becoming a gang recruiter and on the edge of major problems with the law. He was saved by Hey U.G.L.Y. – Unique Gifted Lovable You, the national nonprofit organization that empowers youth to be part of the solution to bullying, substance abuse, racism and suicide. Content on the HeyUGLY.org website, and in their school assemblies like this one, have been saving the lives of young people who are suicidal. The major take away from his book and assembly is, no matter how bad things are now, once you graduate things get better. He recounts how his first day on the job after graduating, one of his bullies entered the store. Victor was paralyzed with fear the bully would create a scene. Instead, he was friendly, apologized for being jerk, and said, “That was in the past, bro, no worries.” This is story all 7 to 17 year-olds need to hear.

Victor’s rap name is Lil Sylnc, pronounced silence, to illustrate the importance of not being silent about your pain and the importance of listening to others share theirs. He hopes his book, songs with powerful lyrics, and assemblies will give victims of bullying the tools they need to stop that voice in their head that tells them they are not good enough so they can, not only survive but thrive and learn how to be part of the solution to this damaging behavior.