NORTH BRUNSWICK — Respect. Respect. Respect. We are North Brunswick.
Three students were chosen from among 100 applicants as winners of a poetry contest at North Brunswick Township High School that reflected the commemoration of the national Week of Respect, Oct. 3-7.
The contest was organized by Gina Marie Tischio, a school assistance counselor and antibullying specialist. The students had to write a minimum of seven lines, use the word “respect” three times and end with the school’s motto, “We are North Brunswick.”
Brendan Kingsley, Tiffany Marquez and Bailey Mehalick were selected as winners, and were treated to a pizza party by Principal Pete Clark.
The more I live, the more I find,
it is better to be kind,
to help, care, and respect
feel much better than you’d expect;
vanity, selfishness, greed,
all are things you do not need
moreover, things you should eschew
for respect benefits everyone,
including you.
Respect.
We are North Brunswick.
— Brendan Kingsley
Kingsley, a senior, writes music in his spare time, so he said words come naturally to him.
He said he focused on the benefits of showing respect and kindness, because in modern times people are not respected enough. He cited examples of students not saying please and thank you on the lunch line, and students simply referring to their teachers as “Mr.” or “Miss,” instead of using their last names, too.
“People aren’t as respectful as before. As things progress, people get more comfortable with things and get more liberal. There is no reason Americans should be less respectful now than they were in the past,” he said.
Give respect get respect
Respect yourself respect others
Self respect is the fruit of disciplines
We all need love, peace and respect
Respect is what each human being
deserves
Show respect in public home
and school
Respect will be given back to you
I have too much respect for the idea
of God
To make it responsible for such an
absurd world
Forgive and forget … respect is free
We are North Brunswick!
— Tiffany Marquez
Marquez, a sophomore, wrote about the need for respect in school, at home and in public. She said, “Respect is free — it doesn’t cost [anything].”
Marquez said she thought about the world and how more people need to be aware of respectful behaviors, such as helping each other and not talking back to teachers.
“You always have to have respect for your peers, and for everyone around you,” she said. “Just like you want respect, you’ll get respect back.”
My friends and I walk down the
hallways
To get in class on time to say
“Hi miss, how was your day?”
We show respect by staying silent
Taking notes and being non-violent.
Respect me by being kind,
Remember, no one’s left behind.
Treat others how you want them to
Don’t you want people to respect you?
WE ARE NORTH BRUNSWICK.
— Bailey Mehalick
When writing her poem, Mehalick, a junior, said she was influenced by the high school’s newRise! initiative. She said she tries to listen to her elders and help out in school and at home to reinforce positive behaviors.
“I think it’s important because some people don’t know exactly how to show respect,” she said. “By making more people aware, it helps to make the world better.”
In addition to the poetry contest, the high school held several other events in accordance with new state anti-bullying mandates.
There were student reflections on respect via the public announcement system each morning. Social Studies classes had a “Do Now” assignment. A character education program and “Women Aware” exhibit on domestic violence were conducted. Antibullying information was disseminated in the Friday folders. Messages of respect were displayed on the monitors in the Commons area and on the Route 130 marquee. The staff reviewed proper reporting procedures during a faculty meeting.
North Brunswick Township High School also observed School Violence Awareness Week, Oct. 17-21, to provide a safe and secure school environment:
A faculty team photo was taken as a symbol of unity on school safety, with staff members signing a pledge and wearing purple ribbons. Video clips were shown during lunch periods about how to prevent school and dating violence. Students were asked to sign an anti-violence pledge to keep violence out of schools. Representatives of the North Brunswick Police Department visited the school during lunch periods. The October Parent Teacher Student Organization meeting featured a presentation on school safety plans by district safety coordinator Michael Misurell. Also, custodians, crossing guards and building aides were provided with strategies to rise up against violence.