Prime's socially distanced pledge to rise up against bullies
Optimus Prime and his owner encourage students to rise up against bullies with safe and 100% socially distanced presentations
"It's been a very difficult year. Children need us now more than ever. We are 'primed' and ready to deliver an important message in a very safe manner, even to school districts that are not permitted to host large assemblies."
That is a message from Joe Fiduccia, owner of the world's only Hasbro-approved replica of Optimus Prime from Transformers: Age Of Extinction. Who continues to use his replica of Optimus as a symbol of hope and encouragement for children around the globe. Creating what he calls an 'elite force against bullies'.
Fiduccia drives Optimus Prime to schools around the country, encouraging children to rise up with Team Prime against bullies. A lifetime victim of bullying himself, he shares a bit about his experiences with bullies while providing students with some useful tips. His presentation has helped students understand that they are not alone in how they feel, and with the help of Optimus has positively motivated thousands of children.
Now he has modified this unique presentation so that schools around the country can take advantage of it in a safe and socially distanced manner.
"I understand most districts are very limited in what they can do," says Fiduccia. "With the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic and the restrictions involved, schools can't host large assemblies. I totally get it. Yet that doesn't mean the students can't benefit from a positively motivated visit that is offered in a very safe way."
Fiduccia has adapted his presentation to accommodate virtually any school district, regardless of their restrictions. He is now offering a scaled down version of the presentation 100% outdoors, to individual classrooms and smaller groups. One that has already been delivered with great success to almost a dozen schools since 2020.
Fiduccia explains: "instead of bringing the entire school outside and rolling up in Optimus with a police or fire escort, we park Optimus on school grounds for the better part of a day. Instead of one single presentation to everyone, classes are scheduled to come outside individually or in small clusters to meet Optimus at designated times (e.g. every 20 minutes)."
"The students can safely stand at least 6-feet apart alongside Optimus, while I speak to them for about 10 minutes on the topic of bullying," he says. "Though the content and topics are reduced because of the shorter time, the same general message is conveyed."
Students are usually then invited to take class photos with Optimus before receiving anti-bully pledge cards, which are sanitized ahead of time and usually distributed internally by teachers and staff.
Joe tells us even if he has to be onsite for 2 days in order to accommodate districts who are following a hybrid schedule, than that's what he'll do.
"I know what it's like to be bullied," says Fiduccia. "I have been bullied my entire life. And even though many students are not physically in a building all week like they used to be, bullying is still very present. Especially online. So this is my way of reaching the children who need something to stand behind. Someone to look up to. Quite honestly it's a welcome break from the norm that is both fun and educational. Offered during one of the most difficult year's of their childhood."
"I fully realize that not all of the children believe in Optimus or our mission against bullies. But regardless of what they believe in the world of Transformers, I never want them to stop believing in themselves and their potential. So even if just one child walks away that day with a newfound sense of confidence in joining Team Prime, I'll take it. Because that is one more individual who has pledged with us to make the world a better place."
If you would like to sponsor a bully awareness school visit in your neighborhood, you can read more about this very unique program from here. You can also send us request for more information from that same page.
