Part of area events in memory of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

From Kennebec Journal
By Mechele Cooper This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Staff Writer

WASHINGTON -- Maryam Mermey is using her passion for the arts to empower students to face down bullies and their enablers.

The Manchester artist has worked as a therapist, educator and trainer for more than 30 years.

She will conduct a "Transforming the Bullying Cycle through the Expressive Arts Workshop" for sixth-graders today and Friday at Prescott Memorial School.

The program is funded by a $500 grant the Gibbs Library received last month from the Maine Commission for Community Service. The commission awarded 16 organizations $500 grants to implement Martin Luther King Day service projects.

Martin Luther King Day is Monday.

"I've been doing it in schools and libraries and at conferences, and it really does work," Mermey said. "My goal is to teach this model, which is very simple, to high school students and guide them in teaching middle school students who will teach elementary students and then give workshops for families and teachers.

"The goal is to work the whole system over time. That's how it becomes part of the fabric of the community and spreads."

Mermey has a bachelor of arts degree in dance and poetry, a master's degree in counseling psychology and a master's degree in arts and education; and currently is working on a doctoral dissertation on bully prevention.

She recently published a book for elementary age students along with a CD called "New to the Forests of Selay: Transforming Witnesses into Heroes." It can be bought through Amazon.com, which has a link on her website, http://www.thetransformativearts.com/.

She said the program gives students an opportunity to explore the difference between the power to help and the power to hurt.

The presentation starts out with a movement and theater aspect followed by a visual arts project. Students have the opportunity to explore what it's like to live inside the roles of the bully, the target, the witness and the hero, she said.

She defines "bullies" as people "who intentionally hurt another person or group over and over again."

"The purpose of exploring these roles is to give students a chance to transform their understandings and perceptions of themselves and others from the inside out," she said. "Most prevention programs do it from the outside in and don't get inside the skins, the hearts and souls of a bully, the target, the witness and heroes, those who do their best to stop the bullying behavior."

She said the students learn through a wide spectrum of mediums, which deepens the experience. By playing the part of the bully, she said they realize how awful it is to be in that role. The experience teaches them how to take that same power and use it to help people, which, she said leaves them with a better feeling.

Mermey also uses an inclusion technique in her program, in which the witnesses band together and take the target out of reach of the bully and include the child in some kind of fun activity.

"The exclusion by the bully is countered by inclusion by the witnesses who are transformed into heroes," she said. "The idea is not to confront the bullies, that can escalate the situation. But give bullies time to cool down and get a chance to apologize. And be forgiven and included in the fun activity."

She said it was wonderful working with the Prescott Memorial School staff.

Principal Richard Blackman said he is excited to collaborate with the library to bring this presentation to his students.

"I see it as a different approach to understanding bullying using the arts," Blackman said. "After meeting Maryam, I know the kids are really going to enjoy it and be able to share their knowledge with our younger students as well."

Rochelle Runge, spokesman for the commission, said 26 organizations and individuals applied for the grants, which are an incentive for communities to take part in the Martin Luther King day of Service.

"This special day of service is an important way for Maine's people to experience the significance of service, volunteerism and collaboration amongst their neighbors," Runge said. "These service projects will not only impact their communities, but celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and his commitment to service, nonviolence, and diversity."

Paulette Oboyski, president of the Gibbs Library Association, said the library's mission is to help bring programs to the school.

"She's flying in the videotographer she works with from San Francisco," Oboyski said. "She'll do all this then edit the video and give a DVD to the school along with the photos to have as a teaching tool for the kids."

A number of groups in town are involved in the project including selectmen, the parent/teachers organization, library and the farmers' market, which will provide healthy snacks for students.

"The whole thing about the grant is to include all types of groups and do something representing what Martin Luther King stands for," she said. "And this is the perfect thing."

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, ext. 408