Marvin Nash is a rodeo clown from Cheyenne, WY. He knows how to make people laugh. Marvin also knows, however, that when a rodeo contestant gets tossed from his ride, it’s time to get serious and stand up to a 2,000-pound bull.
Three years ago, Nash decided to take his experiences with the four-legged kind of bulls and devote his efforts to helping students with an age-old problem and one that is receiving more and more national attention – that problem is bullying.
One researcher estimates that about 15 percent of all fourth-graders are victims of a bully. Many state legislatures are enacting laws to fight back against bullies by making it easier to punish them or by mandating schools to create internal structures to report bullying.
Many schools are also offering anti-bullying programs and that’s where Marvin Nash, a.k.a. Starvin’ Marvin, rodeo clown, comes into play.
Nash and his family train high school students to instruct anti-bullying programs to elementary and middle school students. "High school students have compassion for younger kids, and younger kids look up to high school students," he says. The Bullying Hurts Program is a community service program that focuses on positive youth development and prevention of the anti-social behavior of bullying in their schools and communities.
Nash’s program and efforts have garnered national attention, and have received coverage in Scholastic News. Nash’s Bullying Hurts Program has also received the help from such individuals and companies as country music star Charlie Daniels, Jasper Engines & Transmissions and Wrangler jeans. Through the efforts of Wrangler and Corral West, one of its largest retailers, Nash’s program will reach an additional 135 communities – 335 schools nationwide and 10 Boys and Girls Clubs. Nash’s Bullying Hurts Program has been launched in 37 states. Jasper Engines & Transmissions recently donated an 18′ box truck and vinyl graphic "wrap" to help Nash take his message across the country.
Tom Schrader, vice president of marketing for Jasper Engines & Transmissions, commented, "We are proud to be a part of Marvin’s program. Bullying is a nationwide concern and we are a nationwide company with Associates and families living throughout the United States. It’s important that we stand up and be counted and do something that can help end some of this aggressive and non-constructive behavior."
For information on products offered by Jasper Engines & Transmissions, visit www.jasperengines.com.
