Eric Crookshank and Naofall (Ming) Folahan visited both Bible Hill Central and East Court Road schools to entertain and inform the children and staff.
"A lot of what we were doing today was just spirit of the moment because of the age of the kids," said Bench Bullying founder Crookshank, who has a five-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son. "When you have audience members at that age you adjust to what is capturing their attention."
The men had students and staff involved in the fast-paced, high-energy presentation, which included lots of laughter and cheering.
"I was bullied when I was growing up," said Crookshank. "My mother was a drug addict and we didn't have a lot of money or newer clothes.
"I started Bench Bullying to try to decrease bullying. In sports, if you do something wrong you're sent to the bench. We want to send bullying to the bench."
Crookshank is from California but now lives in Halifax. He was a member of the Halifax Rainmen and has been taking part in motivational speaking for the past eight years.
"I don't want people to support me; I want them to support the anti-bullying movement," he said. "I hope to take the message to every school."
National Basketball League of Canada player Ming Folahan partnered with Crookshank last year to take part in events. He, too, was bullied while growing up.
"Sometimes the kids listen to us because we're basketball players," he said. "It's good to be able to use our skills this way."
Folohan is also involved in other programs, including Project Ming Foundation, which was set up to collect shoes and distribute them in parts of West Africa.
Mackenzie Gloade, an eight-year-old student at Bible Hill Central School, said she likes basketball and enjoyed the presentation.
"It was cool," she said. "My favourite part was at the end when they got Mrs. Fougere up with them."
Principal Kathy Fougere was called up to dance in front the students.
Anyone interested in booking Bench Bullying can contact [email protected] .
Eric Crookshank and Naofall (Ming) Folahan visited both Bible Hill Central and East Court Road schools to entertain and inform the children and staff.
"A lot of what we were doing today was just spirit of the moment because of the age of the kids," said Bench Bullying founder Crookshank, who has a five-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son. "When you have audience members at that age you adjust to what is capturing their attention."
The men had students and staff involved in the fast-paced, high-energy presentation, which included lots of laughter and cheering.
"I was bullied when I was growing up," said Crookshank. "My mother was a drug addict and we didn't have a lot of money or newer clothes.
"I started Bench Bullying to try to decrease bullying. In sports, if you do something wrong you're sent to the bench. We want to send bullying to the bench."
Crookshank is from California but now lives in Halifax. He was a member of the Halifax Rainmen and has been taking part in motivational speaking for the past eight years.
"I don't want people to support me; I want them to support the anti-bullying movement," he said. "I hope to take the message to every school."
National Basketball League of Canada player Ming Folahan partnered with Crookshank last year to take part in events. He, too, was bullied while growing up.
"Sometimes the kids listen to us because we're basketball players," he said. "It's good to be able to use our skills this way."
Folohan is also involved in other programs, including Project Ming Foundation, which was set up to collect shoes and distribute them in parts of West Africa.
Mackenzie Gloade, an eight-year-old student at Bible Hill Central School, said she likes basketball and enjoyed the presentation.
"It was cool," she said. "My favourite part was at the end when they got Mrs. Fougere up with them."
Principal Kathy Fougere was called up to dance in front the students.
Anyone interested in booking Bench Bullying can contact [email protected] .
