The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

BULLYING in school is a growing concern and students attending a Student Leadership Symposium in Grand Bahama were encouraged to be heroes and to respect and appreciate others for their differences.

The symposium was held on Tuesday at the Bishop Michael Eldon High School auditorium under the theme, ‘Being a Hero.’

Among the speakers was Iram Lewis, MP for Central Grand Bahama, who shared his own experience of growing up “poor” on a small island cay where he was bullied as a young boy, and how he used it to propel him to the world stage as a two-time Olympic athlete.

“Too many people feel they have to get their way by bullying and humiliating others,” he said. “They are the ones who are weak, and in most cases, they are crying out for help; they use their size and demeanour to portray someone or something they are not.”

Mr Lewis said that in this technology era people use their computer and cell phones now to bully others through texting and posting pictures to hurt others.

“I still chose to believe that behind those tough exteriors they are young men and women that are really afraid. Maybe they are not living up to their parents’ or siblings’ standards; maybe their grades are not what is expected of them; perhaps they aren’t experiencing the level of love in their homes they desire,” he explained.

The MP said that people who feel they are bigger or continuously feel the need to impress others tend to bully by spreading rumours, and physically or verbally attacking others.

“This is not the way to be… I want to encourage you to focus on your achievement. Every one of you can be amazing, and none of you should feel less or intimidated because of someone’s drive, determination, or achievement. All of you are unique. We spend too much time trying to compare ourselves with others,” he told seminar participants.

He said that while he may not have been the fastest athlete on the track in Atlanta or Sydney at the Olympics, he is the fastest Iram Lewis that the world will ever see.

“Buddy Hield (Bahamian NBA player) will never be Michael Jordan or LeBron James, but there will never be another Buddy Hield no matter how many Bahamians make it to the NBA,” Mr Lewis said.

Mr Lewis said that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was also bullied in school, but he is now a billionaire that everyone admires.

“He was a class nerd whom nobody wanted to be associated with. Now he is a billionaire that everyone wants to be. They laughed at him and called him a nerd, but a couple of friends in Mark’s class saw the genius in him, they did not tease him. They saw his ability and embraced him and became his friends, and those same people who embraced him are now billionaires today because they helped form Facebook.”

Mr Lewis told students that there are so many opportunities that are available to them, and said if they learn to accept each other then they too could maybe collaborate and create the next big invention.

“I expect to see outstanding achievements from each of you because God has already given you the gift you need to be incredible and achieve anything you put your minds to,” he said.

“All of you have the ability to be known as someone that is noble and of good character. All of you have the ability to stand out as a leader through compassion and concern for others.”

Mr Lewis said that as a young boy growing up in Water Cay they did not have all the modern conveniences in Grand Bahama such as electricity and hot running water.

There was only one generator on the entire island which ran for just a few hours a day.

“This meant I had to organize myself and plan my activities knowing that I only had a tiny window of opportunity to use the light. It taught me organisational skills and how to plan. When I wanted to take warm baths, we put the tub in the sun to heat the water, and I am not ashamed to say it. However, this taught me how to appreciate the gifts that God made available for me and you,” the MP said.

Mr Lewis said they had to get in a little dinghy boat to Grand Bahama to purchase groceries, and trek back through a dirt road, and take the dinghy back to Water Cay some times in adverse weather conditions.

“People may call it a hardship, I call it building character. Nothing in life comes easy, and if we really want something in life it requires hard work and determination,” he told students.

Mr Lewis said that he was also teased as a youngster. “I was very skinny and they called me knock-knee boy…big nose. The same knock-knee boy they called I was able to use that because on two occasions in 1996 and 2000 I had the privilege of participating in the Summer Olympic games. I used what they said to propel me on the world stage.

“This little boy from Water Cay who started from humble beginnings went on the world stage to represent my country and competed against almost every country in the world.”

Although he did not win a gold medal, Mr Lewis said that being able to step foot in the arena and standing on the track at the Olympics Games in Atlanta and Australia were experiences he will never forget.

Mr Lewis, who is a certified architect, said that of all his achievements, the greatest honour and responsibility had been the opportunity to serve his country and fellow Bahamians.

“I have an awesome privilege of serving my country and serving you as an MP.

Many do not understand how much of a privilege it is to serve each other. It takes courage to serve; courage to put your own will aside and to look after the needs of others. Serving is not a sign of weakness; it is an amazing ability of strength.

He told students to look deeper into themselves and recognise that they all have the ability to be a hero.