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My Nephew, Daniel DiPronio Mendez was a victim of Bullyside and took his life on May 1st 2009. This happened in San Clemente, Ca. It is a parallel story in many ways to that of Phoebe Prince. I can't begin to describe the devastation this has caused our entire family and the community. I still don't know where my sister finds the strength to go on…but the below has helped tremendously.
The kids at his high school (Daniel's friends) have formed a club that has received much local and national attention, called Cool to Be Kind or CTBK club, It is basically an anti-bullying club. Their main goal is to spread awareness of the danger and damage of bullying at all levels. We are coming up on the one year anniversary of Daniel's death and they are having a CTBK candlelight vigil. Daniel was an honor student and participated in many sport activities…just a great kid all the way around. The C2BK student leaders/members are looking for sponsors to “support your efforts” and to lend support to the cause. They are not looking for any handouts or money. They just want to raise awareness that bullying will not be tolerated at the school and fellow students have a peer group if needed.
These students are our future leaders and have taken charge of this cause to raise awareness of this societal issue at SCHS since the bullying/suicide death of fellow SCHS classmate Daniel Mendez, May 1, 2009.
The CTBK club can be reached at C2******@gm***.com attn: Reilly Gorman, one of Daniel's best friends. He has shown incredible courage and maturity throughout this horrible ordeal and is at the lead in making his memory a worthwhile cause.
