Students of H.E. Bourgoin Middle School are learning from one country singer/songwriter's personal experience not to let what others say hold them back.
Bigger Than That is a bullying prevention program that travels to schools across the country promoting inclusion, empowerment, and resiliency.
Making sure the message is sent loud and clear, is Canadian country music singer/songwriter Ryan Laird.
“When I was in middle school as a youngster myself, I was bullied and picked on. I got up during a talent show and sang in front of the whole school and it didn’t work out quite as well as I had hoped at that point,” he said.
Now known or his hits such as "Bigger Than That," "Hey Ashley," and "I'm Your Man," he's sharing his experience and reminding youth they can do anything they put their mind to.
“As I became a professional Canadian country music recording artist, I realized I wanted to find a way to give back through my music. Being an artist, we have a voice and something people listen to,” Laird stressed. “I thought, 'why not try to turn it into something that can make a difference in kids’ lives?'"
Using his own experience as inspiration, he became a part of the Bigger Than That movement.
The tour travels to schools across Canada, focusing on motivating youth.
“It’s a real demonstration event. I speak to the audience about myself, my past, and what happened to me when I was their age in school and how I was bullied," added Laird.
After telling his own story, Laird steps back from the microphone and opens up the floor to students, encouraging them to share their own experiences.
He hopes that by witnessing him lay it all out, that they will feel comfortable doing the same.
"It’s an outlet for them to be heard, whereas maybe if I wasn’t there… they wouldn’t have the opportunity to get up in front and be heard that way,” expressed Laird.
When Bigger Than That reached out to the school, principal Jeannine Ellis couldn't resist the opportunity.
“We’re really excited about them coming. Just the positive influence they’re going to have. Ryan speaks about self-confidence, demonstrating resiliency and inclusion, it’s really motivational for our kids to not only have good music, but also to get them pumped up and know that they can do it,” she emphasized. “I think that’s the empowering part of his message, and that’s what we’re hoping for."
Another part of the program has a student interested in performing come up on stage to sing "I'm With the Band" alongside Laird.
"I pull up onto the stage someone from the crowd who has an aspiration or dream in their life to become a singer. It’s their chance to come up maybe when they normally wouldn’t get too because they’re too shy, or that type of thing… and they will come up and sing the song with me,” noted Laird.
He added, the event is a mix-match of sharing an important message while doing it in a fun way.
By touring coast-to-coast, the goal is to share their message with as many youth as possible.
“There’s so much of this going on. I know when I was in school it was happening, and there are things that are happening even more now, or maybe it’s just that the media has taken more awareness of it now so we hear about it more in the news,” stressed Laird. “There are a lot of people putting down others, being negative towards them, bullying them. Everybody is a human being, no matter what age you are or where you come from. Everyone deserves and has the right to free speech and to express themselves and be themselves. We shouldn’t be allowing, I don’t think, other people to come around and bully them or put them down because of something maybe they did."
Bigger Than That will be hitting H.E. Bourgoin Middle School on Nov. 22, and is open to students and their families.
Ellis said she hopes to performance encourages youth to believe in themselves.
“I hope they take away an encouraging message that they’re empowered to know that they can overcome difficulties in their life. We all face difficulties, and hopefully when that time comes they’re sure of who they are and they can continue to build those skills to be contributing citizens."
