Kevin Farrell, a Valley Tech junior from Bellingham, displays his anti-bullying ad campaign that was unveiled on January 25, which was recently declared “No Name Calling Day” by Governor Deval Patrick.
Photo credit: BVT

UPTON – As part of the state’s initiative to cut down bullying in public schools, Gov. Deval Patrick recently declared January 25 “No Name Calling Day” in Massachusetts. Blackstone Valley Tech celebrated the day by unveiling a student-designed ad campaign to inspire support of anti-bullying in the school. The student behind that initiative is graphic communications junior Kevin Farrell from Bellingham.

Farrell was inspired to promote positive change with a call to action against bullying and used his creativity and learned skill set to do so. His inspiration came in the saddest of forms; a news story reporting the death of a New York high school student who took his own life after a prolonged period of harassment. He applied his creativity to the anti-bullying cause and began diligently working on an ad campaign in his multimedia communications class to have an impact on his school community.

Farrell created multiple design concepts, which were reviewed by his teachers and student peers. He then prepared and delivered a professional presentation to school administrators. So moving was Farrell's work that the administration team agreed to display the campaign in a trophy case in the school’s Hall of Fame, temporarily removing medals and trophies to make room for the week-long showcase. The school recognized “No Name Calling Day” by unveiling his work, but the campaign will remain in the current location to close out the week. It will then be repositioned, in a more prominent home on a much grander scale in the school’s cafeteria.

“All of the students in class were drawn to Kevin’s work because it is so poignant,” stated Graphic Communications Team Leader Adele Ellis. “The growth of technology means that bullying now takes place in an anonymous format, and spreads quickly. Kevin’s work is a call to action, and a learning lesson for all of our students. They are learning that their creativity and their voice can have an impact.”

Farrell is very involved in his school community, and also in his hometown of Bellingham. He recently presented his Eagle Scout leadership service project proposal to the Bellingham Public School District School Committee. His proposed project includes transforming the courtyard at the Bellingham Middle School into an outdoor classroom.

Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech creates a positive learning community that prepares students for personal and professional success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of rigorous vocational, technical, and academic skills.

The school’s website is www.valleytech.k12.ma.us.