Atlanta, GA (Top40 Charts/ JAM Rockz Publishing) Ten-year old singer songwriter Jolie Montlick turns her love of music and songwriting into inspiration and help for other kids in the newly released music video, "My Song for Taylor Swift". Over 150 children and adults participated in the filming of the music video, which also honors Taylor Swift, who was once herself a victim of bullying. The music video brings the song's story to life through a number of school scenes that show acts of kindness, intended to motivate and empower kids to take appropriate action and speak up when they see bullying. The release coincides with October's National Anti-Bullying Month.
Jolie decided to write the song after sitting in the front row at Swift's "Speak Now" Tour last November. "I was inspired by Taylor and how she overcame bullying and became such a positive role model. She didn't let bullying and what others thought stop her from accomplishing her goals," says the 5th-grader. "I also believe that courage and kindness are contagious, and the more kids lead by example, the more kids will follow."
No longer viewed as a "normal part of growing up", bullying is now recognized as harmful behavior with the potential for deep and long-lasting effects, including depression, post-traumatic stress, self-harm and suicidal thinking. Unfortunately, the growth of technology and social networking, like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, gives kids new and far-reaching avenues to harass and torment other kids. Nearly 160,000 children miss school each day for fear of being bullied, according to the National Education Association.
Experts believe that the most effective anti-bullying efforts include collaboration among parents, educators, communities and students. Donald Berger, Headmaster of Cape Fear Academy in Wilmington, NC agrees. His school donated the use of its facilities because it felt strongly that the message has great potential to help kids. "I firmly believe we can decrease bullying in our schools by engaging students in solving the problem. Jolie Montlick has taken a big step in that direction. Kids throughout the country should see this video," says Berger. The video is available at JolieMontlick.com.
About Jolie Montlick:
When not in school or working on her music, Jolie gives generously of her time to help others. As a National Spokesperson for A4K, The Ambassadors for Kids Club, an anti-bullying organization (a4kclub.org), Jolie appears in public service TV messages and news interviews to encourage kids to speak out against bullying. Jolie is also a 2nd degree black belt and two-time state champion in Tae Kwon Do, and has helped teach self-defense and life skills to over 1,000 kids. In addition to "My Song for Taylor Swift", Jolie has just released three new singles: "Just One Day", "Crazy For You" and "Need You." For more information, please visit JolieMontlick.com.
