Seeing Beyond Bullies

Jake Alexander's reception to Long Beach wasn't welcoming.  

Transferring from Delaware to Long Beach Middle School in the 8th grade, he was met with difficult social challenges.

"People were very territorial," said Jake, 15, who strikingly resembles teen idol Justin Beiber. "Kids were rude, and all the general bullying stuff, like name calling, began."

The bullying soon turned extreme when Jake entered Long Beach High School. He said students attempted to physically harm him, spat on him in the hallways and, on one occasion, even pummeled him with water bottles and hot coffee during a bus ride. His case made Newsday headlines in November 2010, after which the bullying intensified. Jake alleges that a group of peers threatened to attack and shoot him.

Due to confidentiality issues, the high school could neither confirm nor deny the alleged incidents. However, in a statement to Patch, LBHS Principal Dr. Gaurav Passi said: "Our district does not tolerate threats, harassment or bullying of any type and we are extremely proactive in ensuring that we provide a safe learning environment for all of our students.”

For his safety, Jake was removed from school for four weeks so police and the Jamie Isaacs Foundation for Anti-Bullying, a non-for profit foundation whose mission is to save people from bullies, could make it safe for his return. The foundation provided him with a school advocate who called a hearing with the school district and provided Jake with a private bus that brought him to and from school and to his surfing practice until his safety was secured. 

"I don't know where Jake would be if I didn't help him," founder Jamie Isaac said. "He's a good, well-rounded kid who was able to take advice, put the tactics against bullies into play, and bounce back quickly.”

While the Alexanders credit the foundation for getting the school to recognize the severity of Jake's case, it's the late Daniel Bobis, the teen’s former math teacher and surf coach, who they credit for getting Jake back to himself.

"I don't think I would have come back if it wasn't for Mr. Bobis," Jake said.  "He helped keep me strong. I joined the schools surf team because of him. He made me take waves I didn't want to take which made me a better surfer. And he supported and protected me in school when bullies gave me a hard time. I had a bond with him, and the other kids looked up to him, so having him back me helped me when things got really rough."

Jake, who has always sought solace in his passion for music, showcased his talent on the Halftime Howie Show, a Long Beach-oriented radio show broadcast every Tuesday on AM 1240, in a song he wrote for Bobis, titled "Bobis Song." Jake’s weekly spot on the show, performing as a singer and the surfing reporter, caught the attention of a successful voice coach from Boston who will come to work with him once a month.

Meanwhile, out of the estimated 25 kids who harassed Jake, one student was expelled, allowing Jake to enter his sophomore year at LBHS with a positive outlook. And though the bullying and antagonizing from some students has continued, the physical threats and violence have desisted.

 “No matter what the circumstance, keep your head up,"Jake said when asked about his message to other kids who are bullied. "Know that you were born to be somebody, and be the better person."