Comsewogue High School Students Come Together to Combat Bullying

Students from Comsewogue High School in Port Jefferson Station are taking action against bullying after witnessing it in their school and community.

A Students United for Safer Schools chapter started at Comsewogue High School in 2012. And now, after years of promoting acceptance in their own school, the Suffolk County high school students are taking a turn as teachers, going into local elementary schools to teach younger students about bullying. The Comsewogue High School members of SUSS are providing tools to prevent bullying as well as ways to rise above it.

“I wanted to join the SUSS group at my school because I think a lot of kids my age struggle with bullying and that’s not okay,” says John Quarteraro, a 10th grade student in SUSS at Comsewogue High School. “Being a part of the anti-bullying group at my school helps me feel like I can really make a difference on this issue.”

Their lessons have made an impression. To help spread the word the Comsewogue High School SUSS group made an anti-bullying PSA. The video, entitled “Hurt,” showed the damage negative words can make. It won the Strike Out Bullying Contest last year, put on by the New York Mets and Child Abuse Prevention Services.

comsewogue students first place winners of Mets strike out bullying contest

The Comsewogue High School SUSS students are honored for winning the Strike Out Bullying Contest.

“It has been incredible to see the amount of dedication and passion that the students have put into the anti-bullying initiative,”says Joseph Coniglione, principal at Comsewogue High School. “The efforts of the SUSS group have helped to create an extremely positive environment throughout our school. It is truly inspiring to be able to work with these students and support them on their journey to create a better world.”

The noble efforts of the Comsewogue SUSS group were further recognized when the students gained invitations to attend WE Day in New York City. WE Day events focus on empowering youth to make a positive change in the world. The events bring together world-renowned speakers, presenters, and award-winning performers—but you can’t buy a ticket to attend. Entry to WE Day must be earned through acts of service toward local and global causes.

In addition to the students from Comsewogue High School’s SUSS group, Martin Luther King III, Daya, Talib Kweli, Rowan Blanchard, Winnie Harlow, Buzz Aldrin, Jordan Fisher, and Angie Martinez—among others—will also be in attendance. WE Day takes place on Thursday, April 6 at Radio City Music Hall.

Check out the video “Hurt,” by Comsewogue SUSS, below: