I am not 20 years old. I experienced bullying my entire life, but high school is when it got bad. I would get into details of my horrific experience, but you all are aware of the harmful words that come from bullies. I was mentally and verbally abused to a breaking point. I thank my family for being there because if they weren't I wonder to this day if I would be here. I say this because I know the depression that comes with being severely bullied. I know the anxiety and the hardships that tag along and follow you around. I get it. I know how lonely it can be not having any friends. I Know what it's like to not want to go to class everyday or come home and cry or want to cry. I know what it's like to wake up every morning and hear everything play back in your head from the previous day and know you have to face it again. GOSH! I know. I am here tonight though to tell you all, I am a survivor of bullying. I am living my life nearly bully free. Every person will always have someone on their coat tail making their life hell, but that is life. I'm here to tell anyone who reads this that it DOES end. Bullying ends guys. One day you'll be grown and you'll look back and realize that all these kids giving you a hard time were nothing of any type of true importance in your life. The people that bullied me, most of them are having a hard time in life right now, bless them and I hope they can find happiness and get their lives together, but they tried to drag me down and in glad that I rose up from the agony of defeat because I am successful now. I am working a full time job, going to school, following my dreams. being bullies taught me that I was strong. Thanks to those cruel people who were once the "biggest" part of my life, I was pushed towards success. They pushed me to prove them wrong and not let them win. Don't let them win. They love to see us fail, but they hate to watch us rise. So rise. Rise HIGH. Be strong and independent. Defend yourself and follow your dreams. The bullying does not last forever, but a good heart lives on. Fill your heart with positivity. I used to give into all the things they said about me and began to believe it. That's not the right thing to do. Empower yourself. And if you are a passerby seeing someone being bullied stand up, stand out. Be the hero. It feels good to be the hero. Empowerment is a great feeling. To simply look in the mirror and say, "Yes, they called me ugly... But I'm not ugly! And to boot, I have a great personality. I am a good person! They are ugly because their insides are rotten." a little self empowerment everyday does a bullied heart good. Trust me. Never give up. And tell the people around you. Teachers, adults, friends and most importantly your family. If you do not have a strong family unit then go to someone you view as a guidance figure and tell them. My family truly had my back and I could not be thankful enough for them. My mother went to bat for me everyday. She fought and fought and fought for me and with me. She was there day and night shed come to school and pick me up for lunch and stay with me. She was my safe haven. She was my safety blanket. She was my strength my rock and my savior. She protected me and never left me alone. She reminded me of all my positive aspects of who I was and gave me the confidence and self esteem I needed to pull myself through. She wouldn't let me fall into my slump. She fought with the school, parents, teachers, coaches to my extra curricular activities. She never backed down. She stepped in and took control of my situation. I changed schools and she stayed on top of everything the entire way through. Say my new school I met a consular who helped me a lot. He was the first adult involved in the school itself who took care of me. My mom felt safe leaving me and I know her secret crying and nervous break downs subsided. I made lots of new friends and I flourished. So please, do not give up. THIS TO SHALL PASS. it gets better. To every dark cloud there is a silver lining. To every dark tunnel there is a light at the end shinning, waiting for you. Be strong. AND SERIOUSLY, NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!