Boardman mother shares anti-bullying message with second-graders

October 8, 2015 at 12:06a.m.

BOARDMAN

Diane Demetrios had a simple message to share with the second-grade students she spoke to Wednesday at Boardman’s elementary schools: if something is wrong, don’t be afraid to tell your parents.

It’s a message she wishes her daughter, Leslie Marie Demetrios, had heard.

Leslie died of a drug overdose Oct. 20, 2013, at age 31. She was a 2001 graduate of Boardman High School and of the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center.

Diane believes her daughter’s problems in part stemmed from bullying she endured as a child.

“I guess I wish she would have talked to me more. Confided in me more, early on,” she said. “I think we really have to catch them young. If you wait too long, it’s too late.”

Last year Diane founded Let’s Make a Difference, an anti-bullying organization that is named in honor of Leslie. She began last year, in partnership with Making Kids Count, by visiting Boardman schools and reading a book with an anti-bullying message; students then got to take the book home.

This year, Demetrios did the same, but expanded the program to Poland schools. Let’s Make a Difference and Making Kids Count gave away 500 books this year, a number that Demetrios would like to increase each year.

This year the group shared with students “Lucy and the Bully,” a story that follows the character Lucy as she deals with a bully at her nursery. Lucy’s mother ultimately helps solve the problem.

The experience of talking to students about bullying is bittersweet, Demetrios said.

“One kid said, ‘I’m going to keep this book for the rest of my life!’ And that’s all you need to hear,” she said. “Every child’s face definitely brightens your day, but in the end, I wish she [Leslie] was here to be part of it.”

To support LMD, visit www.makingkidscount.org. The organization also has candy bars available for purchase at various local businesses.