The Jasmine Richards Project - Anti-Bullying Music/Video

Hello everyone! We are very proud to be involved in a very unique opportunity with Jasmine Richards and her Producer Robert Johnston. Jasmine is a former student of Iroquois Ridge and now a rising Canadian actress and singer. She has performed in Disney Movies, such as Camp Rock and on television in "Naturally Sadie", among other television shows. Just before the exam period, over 120 students met with a few of our staff to begin the process of writing and producing a music video which will highlight Jasmine' new song, "You Have The Power." This song is in response to the tragic suicide of Jamie Hubley, an Ottawa teen, who ended his life as he could not further endure the homophobic bullying he was experiencing. The music video will be filmed this month and released about the same time that "Jamie's Law", an anti-bullying law will come into action. Last night student performers were interviewed and auditioned for the various scenes portrayed in the music video which they have written, created and will film with Jasmine and Robert. This project is a magical one in which student engagement and enthusiasm is at it's finest! This is a lifetime experience for everyone involved and we look forward to the final product in the very near future. "Ridge" students and Jasmine are working closely together to spread an inspirational anti-bullying message through the power of song. There will be more excitement to follow, as Jasmine meets with us again today after school to continue with the creative process. For more information about Jasmine please visit: http://www.jasminetheantibully.com/, where she blogs about our project together and for more Bullying Awareness Education, please also feel free to see our "Ridge Respect Website/Blog" at http://irs.hdsb.ca/. We will keep everyone tuned as to the release of the music video and hope to have a schoolwide assembly to accompany the release and the launch of our own "Give Respect/Get Respect" Campaign at "The Ridge."