Typhani Russo Presents at United We Can Luncheon

Bookworms Against Bullies was the featured subject at the latest United We Can Luncheon. Author and Bookworms founder Typhani Russo (shown) shared her experiences with bullies. She also explained what bullying is and how to prevent it.

Russo shared that she was bullied from a very young age. It started in elementary school around fourth grade. She said that it all started with the sideways glances and whispering behind her back. Every year, while in elementary school, it got worse. People began directly bullying her by calling her names. They would try to keep her from being friends with anybody. It continued through middle school, high school and into college.

"I tried to escape reality and that is primarily why I created Bookworms Against Bullies," Russo said.

Reading was an outlet for her to escape the trauma of every day when she went to school. Russo was involved with a lot of organizations in the community.

"I did practically everything you could do in school, like the vocal ensembles, orchestra and chorus," Russo said.

She did district and regional chorus and tried to stay really busy, which made her forget what was going on.

Some of the students at the luncheon shared their own personal stories as well. Russo emphasized to them that they are all important. She told them that everybody matters. She also stressed that it is important to think before you speak, so that you don't become one of those bullies. For those in attendance, whether it be students or adults, who may have been experiencing bullying, she recommended that they find something that brings them joy in their life and to reach out to anybody who would listen. If students reach out to principals or administrators and don't get anywhere and they feel like they are being unheard, Russo said that she is a resource.

"They can reach out to me," Russo said. "There is community support and groups like mine."

She added that it is important to have a good support system and to stay busy.

Russo said that she had really good feedback. The students talked about their experiences and what they are going through.

"I actually had a couple of girls reach out because they wanted to volunteer with Bookworms Against Bullies at my community events," Russo said.

Bookworms Against Bullies started as a library program in 2018 when Russo worked at the Altoona Library as a children services supervisor. It was a program that took place once or twice a month.

"The more I heard stories about bullying going unnoticed in the schools and surrounding areas, the more I realized that I wanted to make my organization a non-profit and try to expand my message," Russo said.

Bookworms Against Bullies officially became a non-profit recently. Russo will be creating a website, getting business cards and going all out.