Tigers Against Bullying, known as TAB, is a sponsorship-funded program that recognizes and rewards students who spread positivity by reporting bullying and cyberbullying and helping struggling students.

Many students in the U.S. are absent from school because of bullying, according to school board member Michele Luther, who developed the program in 2024.

“That should never be the norm,” she said.

During the 2023 school board elections, Luther decided to run on an anti-bullying platform to make a difference within the district. She watched loved ones relentlessly get bullied, so the cause was near to her heart.

An anti-bullying poster hangs on the wall at Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School as part of the district’s Tigers Against Bullying program. Courtesy photo

“I wanted to do something meaningful and bring something positive to the districts,” she said.

She started working on the program after she was sworn in, meeting with administrators and school principals until the idea blossomed into a program.

“It became a village,” she said, adding that district principals were originally on board and still stay involved today.

Superintendent Curtis Whitesel also said he was supportive of the program from the beginning, as it promotes positive behavior in classrooms and beyond.

“When kids see that they get a reward and feel like they’re doing something, they carry it with them their whole lives,” Whitesel said.

School board members approved the program in July 2024, and it’s been implemented throughout schools in the district since.

Luther mentioned that Tigers Against Bullying has no financial burden to taxpayers, as it is funded through sponsorships and donations.

The program had its first fundraiser May 14 at Texas Roadhouse, where a portion of the proceeds went to the program.

TAB activities

Luther said the program is tailored differently for each age group, such as elementary, junior and senior high, to help them understand and discourage bullying inside their classrooms.

At the elementary level, students can earn kindness tickets when displaying positive behavior and cash them in for a prize from the treasure chest or choose a book from the book vending machine.

The program also invited all students to the Rachel’s Challenge in fall 2025 at the junior high building, a program made in memory of Rachel Scott, who was the first victim in the Columbine school shooting, but believed and demonstrated the power of kindness during her life.

Luther said students in grades five through 12 listened to the host and learned about the power of positive behavior through the host’s words and videos. Some students are now a part of the Friends of Rachel club.

Elementary and junior high students participated in “Socktober,” when socks were donated to local service centers to help families in need, she said. The program also held events such as the Kickoff to Kindness walk and a poster contest to generate positive behavior against bullying in the district.

“It was a great way to show students how their kindness and empathy can impact others,” she said.

Luther said six graduating seniors are receiving a $250 Tigers Against Bullying scholarship in conjunction with the Spencer Davis Foundation titled, “The Spencer Davis Kind Heart Scholarship.”

“I was trying to think how Tigers Against Bullying can have a scholarship that is meaningful and at the root of our students,” she said.

She said qualifying students had to demonstrate outstanding academics, quality of kindness, the courage to stand up and recognize the need of those struggling and good sportsmanship, the latter in reference to Davis’ sports interest.

They were also required to write an entry about their positive impact on someone’s life, along with their transcripts and a letter of recommendation.

Not perfect, but necessary

As the program enters its third year, Luther said she can already track a change in the students’ atmosphere.

Speaking with principals, she said, “They’ve seen an energy shift from the first year of TAB to the second year. That makes me happy. Something is clicking.”

Whitesel also receives positive updates about the program from school principals, who share photos and messages about the students who received rewards for spreading kindness in their schools.

He said it’s important to continue the program because spreading kindness is the antidote to bullying.

While Luther mentioned that Tigers Against Bullying hasn’t completely fixed bullying in the district, she said the difference is noticeable and worthwhile.

“Not everything is perfect, and we know that,” she said. “That’s why it’s a continual work in progress.”

Those interested in donating can visit: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/tab-tigers-against-bullying

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.