When Elsie Morden was a teenager in rural Manitoba, she switched schools eight times, desperately trying to avoid the girls who made her life [awful]. But with another school came a new group of mean girls….

Morden, now 20, shares [her stories] as part of her No Time for That tour, which she has taken to more than 450 schools across Canada since 2012. In addition to being a committed anti-bullying activist, she’s an emerging country singer/songwriter and uses her music to connect with kids….

Morden — who performs with her dad, Ken Byrka, as well as her sisters, Mallory Byrka, 19, and Victoria Byrka, 17 — was at General Vanier School Wednesday, performing for a small group of grades 5 to 8 students. Her shows are short and energetic, part confessional, part country-pop show. She aims to empower both victims and bystanders. Her overall message is one of empathy and resilience.

How can role models be advocates for social and political participation?

Zoretti, J. (March 24, 2016). Mission possible: Turning bullies around: Winnipeg Free Press.

Photo Credit: Mike Deal/Winnipeg Free Press