His name was Matt Epling. His eighth-grade classmates voted him as having the best smile, the best personality and the most likely to become an actor.
On his last day of eighth grade, Matt was attacked by upperclassmen who took it upon themselves to give him a “welcome to high school” hazing.
40 days later, Matt Epling committed suicide. That was in 2002.
Since then his parents Kevin and Tammy Epling have worked tirelessly to end bullying, and to make school safe for kids.
In 2011, Governor Snyder signed the Matt Epling Safe School Law. It gave schools six months to create and implement anti-bullying initiatives.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, so it’s a good time to take a look at how well Michigan schools are doing in their efforts to curb bullying.
Matt’s father Kevin Epling and Chippewa Valley High School counselor Suzanne Spurr joined us.
The 1st Annual Community Conversation on Bullying will be October 17 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Epling will be moderating, with a big lineup of experts from many fields and representing many perspectives, from education, law, mental health, parents and students.
More information can be found here.
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