The New Hampshire fifth grader decided to tell her story to the school board meeting at Pollard Elementary School in Plaistow.
When the board members gathered to listen to Delanie, they were not ready for what they were about to hear.
‘Shot in the head’
Delanie told the school board: “Hi my name is Delanie. I’m here to talk about a problem that means a lot to me. Bullying… I’ve been threatened to get shot in the head by a AK-47 and buried in my backyard and many other things.
“I like working and studying but I just don’t like being bullied.”
After, Delanie told NBC10 Boston: “I wanted to let them know I was getting bullied and that I didn’t want it to happen anymore. They kick me and they say mean things, call me names – it is not nice.”
Delanie’s dad, Todd Marcotte, said something has to be done to stop the suffering his daughter had to endure every day.
“It is very hard to watch your child get bullied, hear about it day in and day out, and you do get very aggravated,” he said. “It’s an issue, and it’s an issue that has to be addressed.”
Stand behind students
Her speech was shared by her dad on social media and in less than 48 hours, the post was viewed more than 29,000 times.
After Delanie asked what the school was going to do to protect her and other kids who have to suffer bullying, Timberlane Regional School District Superintendent Earl F. Metzler told NBC10 Boston that the district stands behind all students, including Delanie.
Watch this brave girl’s speech in the clip below.
Delanie’s actions enabled thousands to act, and it can also inspire others to talk about this troubling issue and not let the bullies get away with the harm they cause others.
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