In sixth grade, my language arts teacher asked my classmates and I to write a poem about something that is very important to us. Many people began writing about a certain object they got, anything from a birthday present or a book they had just bought from the store, but I wrote about an issue that affected me when I was younger and still affects me today: bullying. An upstander is a person who stands up for what they believe in. I submitted this poem in a poetry contest and had it published in a book:

To be an upstander is not a chore,

But to be an bystander can be a bore.

Bullying takes place every day,

Punching, pushing, and yelling in every way.

Standing up is the correct thing to do.

This can only be accomplished by you.

To stand up to a bully can make a difference,

All you have to do is make an appearance.

If you see someone getting hurt,

You let the teacher be alert.

Also, be the one to make aware,

Your parents or any adult in the air.

Your job will never be done,

Whereas the enemy has just begun.

Stand up for what is right,

When the bully starts to bite.

Even if you are in a hurry,

Don't let the victim scurry.

Remind everyone, even your mate,

Everyone's life should have no place for hate.