October 7 was a very informative day for students, staff, and parents in the Wright City R-2 School District regarding a subject that can affect everyone in a school community.

That was the day when Tina Meier, head of the Megan Meier Foundation, presented on ways to address bullying and cyberbullying.

Meier’s daughter, Megan, committed suicide in 2006 after being bullied online by classmates in O’Fallon. Since then, Meier has made it her personal mission to help confront these issues that affected her daughter and have affected so many others.

Wright City High School counselor Jennifer Sommer said that Meier’s presentation offered attendees information to aid in combating the issues.

"It presented a very solution-focused approach that students can apply to their daily interactions," Sommer said.

Middle School Principal Taylor Backues said that Meier’s presentation at her school worked on several levels – from informing staff what to look out for in possible bullying and cyberbullying situations to doing the same for students.

"The assembly served as an important reminder of the impact kindness and empathy can have within our school community," she said. “One student shared, ‘It was motivational to stop bullying and cyberbullying,’ while another reflected, ‘I feel like the assembly helped me understand how I should help my friends moving forward.’”

Through the foundation, Tina Meier travels around the country, talking about bullying and cyberbullying to students in grades K-12, youth rallies, Internet safety summits and parent/educator programs.

Wright City Superintendent Dr. Amy Salvo said the district was happy to partner with the foundation to provide students, staff and families the necessary tools to combat bullying and cyberbullying.

She said the district offered this valuable tool in conjunction with the observance of Bullying Awareness Month.

“We believe schools should be places where every student feels safe, valued and supported as they learn and grow,” Salvo said. “October is Bullying Awareness Month, and by partnering with Tina Meier and the Megan Meier Foundation, our students heard a powerful message about empathy, self-awareness, and the importance of open conversation. We also extended this opportunity to our families by hosting an evening parent presentation focused on recognizing warning signs, fostering a culture of kindness, and exploring ways for parents and schools to work together to support our children. By partnering with district families, together we can ensure that we are supporting every student, every day.”