An anti-bullying effort led by a group of high school students in Iowa City was featured on a national TV news program this morning.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
NBC’s Today Show included a segment about Iowa City West student Jeremiah Anthony, who launched a Twitter account to send compliments to his fellow students. “It’s really easy to find the nice things in people, instead of the bad things,” Anthony said.
The 17-year-old junior at West High started the account, @westhighbros, in October 2011 after seeing others were using anonymous Twitter handles to criticize and name call. “You should definitely not be such a coward that you have to hide behind a screen and says bad things to people,” Anthony said.
Two other West High students are now helping Anthony Tweet positive messages to other students and highlight their accomplishments. The Today Show’s Kevin Tibbles talked to students about the impact West High Bros is having on their lives. “When I got that Tweet, it just really brightened my day,” one student said. “What a concept, a whole bunch of people being nice to each other and passing it on,” Tibbles noted. “What (Jeremiah) is doing, complimenting people…one compliment can change their entire life,” another student said.
A recent Tweet by West High Bros stated, “No one should control your happiness. It is your life and your feelings. Don’t let someone dictate your right to be happy.” West High Bros had nearly 1,600 Twitter followers on Monday. That climbed to nearly 3,400 followers by 10 a.m. today.