Students at the Dubard School for Language Disorders at The University of Southern Mississippi will hear testimony about the dangers of bullying from Brookhaven, Miss., teenager Kelsey Ann Jackson on Thursday, June 17.

Jackson, 18, will deliver her presentation titled, “Mean Girls Aren’t Cool” to the lower level students at 1 p.m. and to the upper level students at 1:50 p.m.

The program’s focus is to increase awareness of bullying among girls and to provide insight as to how, when and why it occurs; identifying bullying behaviors; empowering the victims and getting school officials and parents involved to help prevent the problem. Jackson has a unique perspective on the issue, having been a victim of bullying herself.

“The problem of bullying has attracted a great deal of attention recently,” said DuBard School social worker Cherice Nobles. “It is important that our students recognize when they encounter a bully and know how to respond appropriately. Bullying behavior can be harmful in many ways and is not a problem that children should try to solve on their own.”

For more information visit www.meangirlsnotcool.com

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities.  In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world.  Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.