RMS Middle School Presents Ryan's Story

On October 7th, 2003, Mr. Halligan lost his 13-year- old son, Ryan, to suicide. It was revealed in greater detail, after Ryan’s death, that he was ridiculed and humiliated by his peers at his middle school in Vermont and online. Ryan was one of the first victims of cyberbullying. In just a few months after Ryan’s death, Mr. Halligan spearheaded the Vermont Bullying Prevention law in 2004, in honor of Ryan. He also led the passing of a bill in 2006 which requires education about suicide prevention in public schools.

Since Ryan’s death, Mr. Halligan has made it his life’s work to spread the need for awareness and prevention of bullying, cyberbullying, and teen suicide- not only in the US but Canada and Latin America. He has appeared on several national TV programs, including Oprah, Primetime with Diane Sawyer, and PBS Frontline. He also received several awards for his work including:

• IBM's Community Service Award 2005

• Kids Safe Collaborative Community Service Award 2008

• United Way's Home Town Hero Award 2008

• Children Abuse Prevention Services Community Award 2009

• The FBI Director's Community Service Award 2010

• The Learning Channel Give A Little Award 2017­

Since first telling Ryan's life-changing story to a high school audience in 2005, Mr. Halligan has developed an assembly that has proven to be effective and leaves students with a long-lasting impression. This program has saved the lives of victims and changed the hearts and minds of bullies and bystanders. With expert feedback from school psychologists and other mental health professionals over the last several years, he has fine-tuned the delivery to be appropriate for grades 5 through 12.

Mr. Halligan also effectively bridges the technology advances from 2003 to the present time, keeping the presentation relevant for both students and parents. As of this past school year, he has spoken at over 2000 schools and reached well over 1 Million students spreading a message of hope and kindness.

Please visit his son’s website for more information: www.RyansStory.org