There’s a new form of murder that’s sweeping the nation’s youth: bullying.

Bullies attacking someone’s race, gender, sexuality, religious or political views, or anything as inconsequential as what they wear can be seen in the halls of any school. Seeing JC take bold steps into a direction away from that deserves a standing ovation.

There are a few new initiatives taken by both the student body and the administration that may seem small, but could be lifesaving for some.

An assembly on bullying will be held for next year’s classes, according to Principal Madelyn Ball. This assembly is designed to expose the students early on in the year to issues of bullying before they begin their school year, which is crucial. Before students find their own friend groups and cliques, they should be united in one commitment to not bully each other, despite their differences in social circles.

This assembly will not be an be the solution to bullying, but it’s a good start. It has the potential to raise awareness and provoke thought on how students should treat each other and what consequences their actions and words can have. Even though topics are not certain at this time, the assembly should definitely share personal stories of students who have been bullied in order to personalize how troublesome being bullied can be.

Additionally, the new group named Love One Another (LOA), started by senior Scott Novak, focuses on fighting against discrimination. It is extremely important for students themselves in the school community to tackle bullying issues.

If JC is going to advertise itself as an upright Catholic institution, then accepting people from all different backgrounds, personalities, and preferences should be a top priority. This school should strive to be an example for all other schools to follow in terms of the way students treat each other.

The Golden Rule and the first of the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching talk about the sanctity of every single person’s life, and bullying destroys  the dignity of that life. An agreement to not bully should be as present and visible as the Honor Pledge. Just as a student signs their name and promises to be honorable, they should pledge not to bully.

Students need to realize that bullying can be a life or death situation. Many don’t know what a student is going through at home or in their life outside of school. Hopefully, these small steps JC has begun to take will pave the way to a more loving community.