Those We Honor

Ty was from Perkins, Oklahoma, and he was eleven years old. Ty had a big heart and always had a big smile for everyone. He loved to hunt and help others. Ty was small for his age. Two years of being bullied was just too much for him. He retaliated against the bully and was suspended. We lost Ty on May 13th, 2010.

Laura Morris-Smalley passed away on November 14, 2020. She was at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for medical treatment after discovering a brain aneurysm.

Laura was born January 8, 1972, in Clovis, New Mexico. She was a member of the 1990 class at Perry High School, Perry, Oklahoma.

She was blessed with a daughter Jerri Dawn and later a son Ty. She was a wonderful mother. Her children always came first.

On June 29, 2006, she married Kirk Smalley. They were the quintessential couple. They shared so many interest and loved spending time together. They loved hunting, fishing, baseball, gardening and travelling together. He was her knight in shining armor and she was the light of his life.

Beautiful, hardworking, fierce, intense, loving, talented, charitable, humble, funny, faithful, loyal, tenacious. These are descriptive words that come to mind when thinking of Laura. But she was so much more. She was a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, counselor, avid hunter, angler, wonderful cook and animal lover.

Laura loved her friends and family fiercely. She especially loved children and they loved her. It didn’t matter if they were relatives, neighbors, friends or complete strangers. If she loved you, you knew it. She was always there for you, even if it was a chat on the phone, a short text or message or to “roll up” her sleeves and do the hard work that needed to be done.

She always was taking care of someone else. Cooking meals and delivering them, remembering your birthday, making sure every kid she knew had that special Christmas gift they were dreaming of.

Some of you know Laura because of her, Kirk’s and Dawn’s unselfish, tireless work with Stand For The Silent, a non-profit foundation started with their help after the loss of their beloved Ty. What amazing things she helped accomplish as she and Kirk travelled the world sharing Ty’s story. They have helped so many children and adults work through their own pain, fear and suffering. It is estimated their efforts have touched over 4 million children worldwide.

She shied away from the limelight and recognition. She never wanted a “fuss” on her behalf. She simply just wanted a “simple” life.

We will miss her beautiful smile and infectious laugh. Until we meet again.

Montana was from Texas. At the age of nine, Montana was suspended from school because he retaliated against a bully. He was in the school office waiting for his parents to pick him up, and, after locking himself in the nurses bathroom, he hung himself with his belt. We lost Montana January 21, 2010.

Michael was from California. He was a straight A, honor roll student, bright, popular, articulate, smart, and funny. His sense of humor was razor sharp. He loved animals, camping along the California coast, and hiking the Sierras. Another student started a rumor about Michael’s sexuality through social media, and then nurtured it into a murderous harassment campaign. Michael was a victim of a peer abuse driven bullycide. He shot himself on September 15, 2008, on his 17 birthday while at school. His mother, Lisa continues her work with Brave Society to bring awareness, accountability and action against peer abuse.

Matt Epling was from Michigan. He was 14 years old. He was voted by his eighth grade classmates to have the best smile, the best personality, and the most likely to become an actor. He was assaulted by the older kids as a part of “welcome to high school.” We lost Matt in 2002. His father, Kevin Epling continues to work to bring awareness and stop bullying.

Jessica was an 18 year old from Ohio. She was a warm, good natured, very creative teenager! She worked with many art mediums, wrote poetry and lyrical stories. She liked sports and ballet. Jessica was harassed by cell, online and in person because an inappropriate photo was stolen from her phone. Jessica went on a local news station to warn other teens. The peer abuse was relentless. Jessica took her life on July 3rd, 2008 to end her pain. Her mother Cynthia helped pass the “Jessica Logan Act” in Ohio.

Brianna was from Australia. Bullying happens around the world. Brianna loved fishing, surfing, and she was good at all sports. Bree was bullied by some of her trusted friends on Facebook and Myspace. At the age of 14, Bree took her own life to escape the constant bullying. We lost Breezy April 28th 2010.

Brandon Swartwood lived in Coweta, Oklahoma. He loved riding his four wheeler, fishing, camping, and helping on the family farm and family trucking business. His mom always said he was her mechanic that was smart enough to be a rocket scientist. Brandon was bullied for many years by people that never took the time to get to know him. Brandon took his own life to end his pain December 16, 2000 at the age of 18.

Austin was always a very creative and enthusiastic young man. He loved the outdoors and was an accomplished hunter and builder! For his sisters 5th birthday Austin built her a surprise two story playhouse complete with lights and even a walk out balcony. Austin battled bullies the same as way too many other kids. Some of his closest friends bullied him to the point that he took his own life to escape it. We lost Austin December 18th, 2010. His parents Travis and Heidi have made it their mission to stop bullying.

Isabel Juliet Santoro was a 14 year old freshman in high school from Lincoln, California. She was intelligent, beautiful, and a talented young girl with a sunshine smile and a sparkling sense of humor. Isabel enjoyed giving of herself to help others.

She loved music and played the flute from elementary school through high school. Isabel advanced to second chair flute in her school orchestra. Her natural talent for singing and acting delighted everyone who saw her perform, throughout her life, in community theater.

Isabel always loved reading, drawing, and making movies with her friends. She was a very good swimmer, and loved spending time in the water, especially at the beach in Santa Cruz. Isabel enjoyed travel, hoping one day to visit New Zealand and see more of the world.

From an early age Isabel was interested in practicing medicine and more recently aspired to be an actress.

After Isabel’s death we learned that she had been bullied verbally and physically at school. Isabel injured herself at home in the morning before school and died the next day, March 16, 2016, in the hospital. Two days later Isabel became an organ donor so that others could better live through her gifts of life.

Her family and friends will deeply miss Isabel for the rest of their lives. Isabel Juliet Santoro was a very special young lady.

Evalina Victoria Hernandez was from Dixon, California, and she will be forever “Sweet 16”. She was an amazing girl with a smile and personality that would light up a room. She loved pandas and was into fashion and music. She loved to write stories and wanted to be a beautician and a professional makeup artist. Evalina was bullied until she could no longer take it. We lost Evalina on October 25th, 2014.

Laura was from South Wales, UK. She was funny, bright and a giver. Of love, money, anything you needed, she would give it. Music was her passion. She lived and breathed it. Laura began to be bullied at age 9, although this was tackled immediately, and seemed to be resolved. It resumed with a vengeance when she went to the senior (high) school. Despite our every effort to get it resolved, it never was, and Laura took her own life on September 4th 2004. Her family says, “We miss her every second of every day.”

Sara lived in Palmyra, Pa. She loved camping, fishing, writing poetry. Her smile and laugh would warm your heart. She was bullied throughout her life. She volunteered for SFTS to make a difference. She loved her family and friends. Sadly, Sara ended her life and fight on September 26, 2014.

Michelle was from Oswego, Illinois and was 27 years old. She was a special education teacher. She graduated from Illinois State University with honors, and began teaching. She put her all into teaching, and helping her students. Teaching led her to anti-bullying organizations like SFTS, and she had her own radio show to empower youth. Through her life Mish was bullied & hurt by some of the people closest to her, which resulted in her being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Despite her brilliant smile, crazy sense of humor, and drive to help others, Michelle fought an internal battle everyday. She gave up her fight and we lost Mish on January 31st 2014.

Ronin Shimizu was from Folsom, California, and he was 12 years old.

Ronin had an affinity for creativity and love for the arts, whether it be drawing, painting, fashion design, dance or architectural design. He loved to use his innovative and creative spirit to make great things.

Ronin enjoyed tumbling and gymnastics, he tried out for and made the cheer squad, where he became the first male cheerleader for the Vista Junior Eagles.

He was also actively involved in the Cub Scouts and finished as a Senior WEBLO and then crossed over with his Arrow of Light to the Boy Scouts. Ronin especially loved all of the Boy Scouts camping trips, with his last trip to Yosemite being his favorite.

In addition to Boy Scouts, Ronin enjoyed kayaking, canoeing and fishing and was a part of the Upper Natoma Rowing Crew.

Ronin was a loving, smart, compassionate and empathetic person who followed his heart.

Ronin spent nearly half of his life dealing with bullying and its effects until his untimely passing. We lost Ronin on December 3rd, 2014.

Zachary Noah Fry was from Olivehurst, California, and he was 15 ½ years old. He loved fishing and hunting and wanted to be a fishing guide and a BMW mechanic. Zachary played football since he was 6 years old. He loved others, had a huge heart for the homeless and was always considered an “old soul”. Zachary was cyberbullied by a former girlfriend and her new boyfriend until he decided he couldn’t take it anymore. We lost Zachary on August 27, 2014.

Kimberly was from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She was kind, loving, creative and so very funny. She loved reading, animals, her family and friends and spending time on the beaches of Lake Superior near her home. Kimberly was verbally and physically assaulted at school daily for 7 months. On March 3rd, 2010, after being hit again,she decided she’d had enough and hit back. Kimberly was suspended and sent home. She hanged herself in her closet. She died 3 days later, on March 6, 2010 from her injuries. Kimberly was 12 years old.

Brielle was 14 years old and from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On March 7th, 2016, she hung herself. She passed away on March 9th, 2016. Brielle was loving, caring, giving, and would do anything for anyone. She loved animals and children. If you were having a bad day, she would use her hilarious personality to put a smile on your face. She suffered from severe depression and was bullied. Brielle was bullied by peers and some she had considered trusted friends. Her depression soon became a target for the bullies. She was told to kill herself on multiple occasions. Monday, March 7th, she recorded a video and tweeted saying good-bye and forgiving those that hurt her. Brielle was an organ donor and continues to live on through others.

This bright and shining star always had a smile or a hand to give. He truly was the purest soul you could ever meet. He was the happy child that loved to make videos and play. He truly was the perfect son. He was a 6th grader that was being bullied and he held it all until he grew his wings. We love you with all our hearts and souls to the moon and back. Love momma (Tammy), Daddy (Chad) Bleakney and his brothers Eric, Tj, and Blake Swingle. Rest in Heaven buns

Patrick was from Tennessee. He was very intelligent, kind, had a heart of gold and loved animals. He was 18yrs old. Patrick took his own life after being bullied relentlessly at school on March 5 , 2015.

His mom Annette writes:

“Christian was a very sweet and shy little boy until he got to know anyone. He was a great artist and very bright in school. He was in the gifted and talented program since 1st grade. Because of this…he was bullied and picked on.

He was a little guy too. And that didn’t seem to help matters. Boys and girls alike towered over him. But he had spunk and character. He got bullied, but nevertheless never backed down from one. Especially when it came to girls.

I didn’t know these things until after his death. Kids came from all over and told me Christian took the hits for other kids. Because he stood up for the underdog. That made me one proud mama!

He also loved nature and animals. He loved his family with all of his heart. And when he made a friend…he was the best friend ever!

He will be missed by many. Even after all of these years. But no one misses him like I do. Forever my baby…my Christian.”

We lost Christian September 7th, 2007 at the age of 12.

Rebecca was 13 years old and from the UK. Rebecca was born with Williams Syndrome which meant that she had medical issues (especially with her heart) and also had some learning delays. She also had Anxiety. She was always very friendly and loved to make friends with every single person she would come across. She loved the beach and loved animals. She was bullied in school. She was bullied for liking Peppa Pig, how she talked, and her looks. A group of boys and girls also started to physically bully her and corner her every chance they got. The school never did anything to stop the bullying and took the side of the bullies every time. She was told to kill herself by one of the girls as she hit and kicked Rebecca. We lost Rebecca on 28, April, 2016.

Noah was 12 years old and from Montana. He loved cats and liked to help cats find forever homes. He also liked to hike and loved being out in nature. He also enjoyed playing with his younger cousins and riding his bike.

Noah was bullied in school for being shy, having ADHD, and for having a stutter. He also struggled in gym class and was bullied and shamed for that as well. He was physically bullied, cyber bullied, and verbally bullied every single day. Other classmates stole his school supplies. He was also treated differently at school by teachers.

School teachers and staff did nothing about the bullying and did not believe him when he would report having been bullied. One teacher had even pointed out “it would be one thing to be bullied by one or two people but an entire class?” Followed with “maybe the issue has to do with you, or you are lying.” Then walked away.

He also was mistreated in class by the teacher because he learned differently.

We lost our Noah on November, 16th, 2015.

Tyrone was 14 years old and from West Virginia. He enjoyed Anime and loved to draw. He enjoyed his Summer breaks in Jamaica every year. He started getting bullied early on and was switched between two different schools. He was always the only Black student in his grade. He was bullied for the way he looked. His school supplies would be stolen often and then damaged. He was spit at and called ugly. He was also physically bullied daily by a group. He also started to get cyberbullied. The school would say something would be done but nothing ever was. He started to eat his lunch in the bathroom and had panic attacks during gym class. He was told one day by one of his bullies to kill himself and that he was a failure to life. We lost Tyrone on January, 24, 2019.

Elijah Boyer was born on June 21, 2007. He was from Georgia. He moved from Illinois in 2018.

He was bullied in sixth grade for respecting teachers and not going along with the “cool” kids. Seventh thru ninth grades got better. He found his group and stood up to the bullies for the little guy.

What we did not realize that bullying affected his self-esteem. He felt others tolerated him. On the outside, great kid with potential but on the inside he was dying and hating himself.

We lost Eli on May 2, 2022, death by suicide. He succumbed to major depression order, anxiety, and body dysphoria. It started with bullying and ended the only way he knew to stop the pain.

His parents have established The Eli Project to promote awareness and connect with other families in their grief.

Sadia was 15 years old and from Louisiana. She loved to read, write, and enjoyed travelling with her two younger sisters. She was bullied by many. She was verbally abused and physically abused every single day. Her locker would be defaced often and notes were put into her locker. The school never put a stop to it but always claimed they would. One day she stood up to one of her bullies and retaliated. Sadia was the one who got suspended. We lost Sadia May, 16, 2022.

Sammy was 10 years old and from Indiana. He loved hanging out and playing with his brothers. He loved to make others laugh and make their day. He loved to fish. Sammy was bullied in school and by the same bullies out of school. Multiple attempts at reporting the bullies to his teachers he was told “we will handle it and put a stop to it” and nothing was ever done. We lost Sammy on May, 5, 2024.