Vista Ridge HS now 'No Place For Hate'

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) - Tuesday, students at Vista Ridge High School celebrated becoming part of the nationally recognized "No Place for Hate" initiative -- and it was a big party.

There was a serious message behind the flash mob dance at the celebration for recognition of the initiative to help stop school bullying.

"It was just a cool way -- it's like a modern hip thing we do and everyone hears about it and it's just a cool way to bring everyone -- how we invited everyone to come do the 'wobble.' We come united and it's just to show we can fight against this cause," said senior Jennifer Kim.

Dozens of students were part of the lunchtime mob meant to deliver a strong message to students.

"I really don't appreciate what the bullies do and I think it's a big problem in school and i just wanted to show everyone that it's not OK to bully," said Austin Heath, a senior.

Down the hall from the school cafeteria, another show of unity against bullying were posters and symbols depicting bullying messages displayed all around. Two students sat behind glass displays surrounded by mean messages -- in one case a demonstration of cyber bullying caught the attention of many students.

"This is pretty much like a real-life example because I see this all the time," said junior Michelle Dickey. "People get bullied and i see these rude comments and people do that all the time they don't think there's anything wrong with it."

Organizers hope students get the point -- there's "everything" wrong with it, and bullying  should not be a part of their school.

"I like to dream big and I like to think that our world is improving and that as a civilzation we can be become more empathetic to others, more understanding," said teacher Karen Lousma.