'Ryan's Story' Comes to Highland Monday Night

Police and local school officials invite the public to attend "Ryan's Story," a bullying awareness presentation, on Monday, May 21, at Highland Regional High School.

The free program, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., is being offered as part of Gloucester Township Police Department's Project BATLE (Bullying Awareness Through Law Enforcement) partnership with local schools and Gloucester Township Municipal Alliance.

John Halligan has traveled across the United States and Canada relaying his tragic experience with bullying. His son, Ryan Patrick Halligan, committed suicide in 2003 at the age of 13 after being bullied both in school and online beginning in fifth grade.

Halligan hopes similar tragedies can be averted by sharing the story of his son's struggles with bullies with students, educators and parents. He brought "Ryan's Story" to Washington Township last August for the Southern New Jersey Prosecutors School Safety and Security Conference.

The program—a form of which will be presented to Gloucester Township Public Schools' middle-school students Monday and Tuesday—aims to provide parents with tools to help them recognize and deal with bullying.

Halligan will share strategies with parents that will allow them to recognize suicidal tendencies and to take preventive actions with their own children.

Visit the "Ryan's Story" website for details on the program.