guidance miss virginia visits Sealston

By COREY BYERS

"Adripana" was the unwanted childhood nickname for Miss Virginia 2006, Adrianna Sgarlata.

Sgarlata recently told children at Sealston Elementary School in King George County about being taunted as a youngster.

Her childhood experiences are a cornerstone of topics she discusses with kids across the state--bullying and Internet safety.

"We don't use our hands, we don't use our words and we don't hurt someone's heart," Sgarlata said.

The issue of bullying is personal for Sgarlata, who says she was harassed as a child. She also serves as the national spokesperson for I-Safe, a nonprofit foundation focused on safe and lawful Internet use.

Sgarlata told children that bullying includes physical contact, name-calling, laughing at others and excluding people from activities on purpose.

Christopher Bryant, principal at Sealston Elementary, said after Sgarlata's visit that her message was relevant to students.

Bryant said bullying is not a major problem at Sealston but it does occur.

"The major message Miss Virginia was communicating is you've got to tell [an adult]," Bryant said. " If it happens and we're not aware of it, we can't take actions to correct it."

Bryant said students are taught about Internet safety, and parents were sent safety tips in a recent monthly newsletter.

Among other topics, he said, Sgarlata told older students what information should not go online--advice that could protect them from child predators.

"It scares me to death as a parent and a school administrator that this could happen to one of my kids," Bryant said.

Sgarlata and Bryant said the belief by some parents that bullying is acceptable has got to go.

"We've got to get rid of the 'rite of passage' attitude," Bryant said.

State code requires school boards to adopt codes of conduct that deal with the issue of bullying.

Corey Byers: 540/735-1976
Email: cbyers@freelancestar.com

Miss Virginia 2006, Adrianna Sgarlata, travels around the state speaking with children and young adults about bullying and the importance of Internet safety.

Say 'No' to bullying Sgarlata discussed three types of bullying: physical, emotional and verbal. Bullying is different from an individual conflict because the same behavior is repeated by one child toward others over and over again.

What children can do Alert a teacher, principal, bus driver or other adult when they or someone else is bullied.

Include all classmates in games and activities so no one feels left out.

Refrain from physical contact with others; treat others with respect.

Staying safe on the Web Sgarlata also informs young adults on what should not do on the Internet. She says even nonspecific information can be used by predators to track a child.

Do not allow children to put photographs of themselves online.

No indicators of a child's location, school, or school information (such as school colors) should be posted.

Do not talk with strangers on the Internet; if messages from strangers or other children become threatening, make a hard copy and block the user from communicating.

Can Miss Virginia visit? Call the Miss Virginia Organization at 804/437-3465 or visit missva.com.

Read more stories about King George
Date published: 3/4/2007

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