Teen fights bullying with bracelets

Oakleaf teen starts anti-bullying Facebook campaign

Published On: Feb 06 2012 11:32:52 PM EST  Updated On: Feb 07 2012 07:04:08 AM EST

Teenager starts anti-bullying campaign

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -

After being teased at school incessantly, 16-year-old Crystal Leslie is trying to make a difference when it comes to bullying by starting a website.

"In my case, I has bullied for having a big nose," Crystal said. "They would call me Toucan Sam. They would post toucans on my locker all over the internet. It really didn't make me feel good."

As a victim of bullying, Crystal said she is on an online crusade to make sure no other teen has to go through what she did. She started making bracelets and set up a Facebook page to raise awareness on her anti-bullying campaign. She sells the bracelets for $10 each and donates the money to charity.

"With the bracelets they wear it as a reminder, 'Oh you really need to know that person's beauty shines from within,'" Crystal said. "I really want to prevent it to stop bullying because it is not right. When I see stuff like that it really upsets me. I'm like, it's not worth it."

Crystal said she's tried to inspire other girls who have been on the receiving end of bullying. In her case when things were at their worst, she turned to her mom for support.

"It was hard. The motherly instinct you want to say why? Why do they say cruel things? I sat down and explained to her obviously there's something they're lacking in themselves," said Michelle Leslie.

Now Crystal hopes her Facebook venture, called the Crystal Heart Campaign, can impact lives and keep more kids from going through what she did.


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