Superheroes fighting bullying at Stephen Mack Middle School
"We need a hero. We need to look beyond superheroes and recognize those in our own communities."
Stephen Mack Middle School gymnasium was filled with excited students on the afternoon of October 31, 2025. It was time for the 27th annual Class Act program in the school gymnasium. Theme music played as teachers and staff, dressed as superheroes, fighting for justice and kindness, were greeted with wild enthusiasm. SMMS Counselor Beth DeVries, dressed as Wonder-Woman, dropped down from the second-story balcony to the delight of hundreds of students.
DeVries is the creator of the Class Act program. "We always start the program with the appearance of superheroes. It gets the student's attention." What followed was a serious talk about heroes in our own community. " You matter. Each of you needs to become your own hero. She stressed promoting kindness and fighting bullying as ways to become a real hero.
"With all the social and political tension in the world today, there is too much hate and hurting. We need a Hero." We need to look beyond superheroes and recognize those in our own communities."
DeVries introduced Frederick Fultz, a favorite bus driver and trainer, and Harlem Roscoe Fire Department EMT, Greg Wernick. Both men overcame difficult childhoods, behavioral problems, and major obstacles. They overcame their problems and became heroes in their own communities.
At the end of the program, students who had practiced acts of kindness and courage throughout the school year were called down from the bleachers and presented with Class Act T-shirts.
