Vigil scheduled to honor CMS student
Published 4:50 pm Tuesday, October 11, 2011
A vigil scheduled for Thursday in memory of the 12-year-old Clanton Middle School student who died by suicide will feature the founder of an anti-bullying organization.
Dajia Lee died Oct. 4 at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.
Upon learning of the incident, Regina Jones of Verbena contacted Lee’s family about honoring the girl by taking a stand against bullying in schools.
“It’s killing our kids—it really is, and the schools can’t handle it by themselves,” Jones said.
The vigil is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Goose Pond Park on 7th Street in Clanton.
Lee’s cousin, Roman Lee, said the vigil will offer helpful information to parents and children—those may have been subjected to bullying and those who have bullied others.
“You never know if it could be your child,” Roman Lee said. “I hate that it took this happening to Dajia to bring it to my attention. I just don’t want anyone else to fall victim to this.”
Jessica Brookshire, a 2011 Auburn University graduate and founder of Kids Against Ridicule Meanness and Aggression, will bring an anti-bullying message from the perspective of someone who has been bullied.
“If we can get the children to consider Jessica’s story and what happened to Dajia, it might be a reflection for them,” Jones said. “It’s important to see how it has affected a family.
“Children are encouraged to come. It’s going to be a very encouraging speaker.”
According to its website, thekarma.org, KARMA is “a crusade to end bullying in school-aged children across the nation.”
Local musician Steve Roberson will perform at the vigil.