The freshman class of 2016 experienced the rite of passage that all Niles North students have been through – the NAMES Assembly. The assembly is an attempt by Niles North to create a positive environment for Niles North students by fostering understanding between students.

During the assembly, freshmen hear panelists (junior and senior volunteers) talk about their past experiences with bullying. After hearing panelists reflect, students were allowed to share their own stories in front of their peers in an open microphone style.

“I heard stories from a few people I know. It broke my heart just seeing the pain in their eyes from what they have gone through,” freshman Topaz Lavi said.

The assembly featured a new film, a spoken poetry video about bullying by Shane Koyczan. It can be viewed here.

Freshmen responded positively to the assembly. “People learned that you do have a voice,” freshman Nicole Vasilopoulos said. “I learned that you shouldn’t speak before you think.”