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Central Native, Kelsey Balzli, Selected for National Competition
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Five public relations students are teaming up with Tuscaloosa City Schools (TCS) to stop bullying in local middle schools. The students are working closely with the current TCS anti-bullying campaign H.A.L.T. or Harassment Awareness Learning Together to enhance the campaign’s message and appeal to students.
The students, Kelsey Balzli, Benjie Ladrillono, Jacquie McMahon, Haley Flanagan and Julia Gardial, are competing in the national Bateman Case Study Competition hosted by the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). The students are all currently enrolled in The University of Alabama Department of Advertising and Public Relations.
The UA Bateman Team faces more than 75 national collegiate teams as each works to create and implement the best anti-bullying campaign. The UA team will visit TCS middle schools the entire month of February to help HALT coordinators in all six schools facilitate games, activities and initiatives to increase bullying awareness.
“Since this is our first year of implementation, we are always looking for avenues to enhance our HALT program to make it more effective in our schools,” says Vickie Brown, director of student services for TCS. “This group of University of Alabama students is passionate about helping find solutions to the issues of bullying and we are confident it will impact our HALT program in a positive way.”
The team developed the “I Can” campaign to build on the current HALT message of standing strong against bullying. The campaign aims to create positive messaging that encourages students to look for kindness in their schools and classmates.
The creator of HALT and HALT coordinator at Eastwood Middle School, Shannon Beard has high hopes for the campaign. Beard says that she hopes that the “I Can” campaign will reenergize students and faculty in TCS schools and that working with the Bateman Team has been “an enjoyable partnership with a win-win outcome for all involved.”
The students on the Bateman Team will work through March 20 to execute the “I Can” campaign and submit a finished plans book to the competition. The book will outline the campaign, explaining the research, work and activities that went into making “I Can” a reality.
“This campaign has involved a lot of work, passion, and creativity,” Balzli said. “As I finish my senior year at The University of Alabama, I am thrilled to use my public relations experience to help kids ‘bully-proof’ Tuscaloosa. Bullying is such a serious issue that needs to be addressed, and I am proud to be a vital part of the Bateman team’s ‘I Can’ campaign.”
Balzli hopes to pursue a career in public relations in New York after she graduates in May. For
more information about Balzli and her work, visit www.kelseybalzli.com.
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