Hillsborough County presents 2025 Anti‑Bullying Recognition Awards to local students

Hillsborough County commissioners on Oct. 1 presented the 2025 Anti‑Bullying Recognition Awards to local students who led school and community efforts to combat bullying and cyberbullying.

Commissioner Gwen Myers introduced the awards and invited Dr. Oliver Massey, chair of the Anti‑Bullying Advisory Committee, to address the board. Massey noted national and local data cited during the presentation: “Roughly 20 percent of kids in schools experience bullying,” and “over 50 percent of children and youth experience cyberbullying,” remarks made to explain the committee’s focus on online harms.

The individual award went to 15‑year‑old Angelina Sike, a 10th‑grade student at Tampa Preparatory School (identified in the presentation as Tampa Prep). Angelina founded a school club called Encourage Not Discourage, collected two pages of pledge signatures, and produced a YouTube video and QR code to reach peers about cyberbullying. Angelina told the board she has been in Girl Scouts since first grade and that the group helped her develop community projects; she thanked Commissioner Gwen Myers and the board.

The team award recognized Alfredo Martel and Leandro Griffin, eighth‑grade students at Wells Middle School, for an anti‑bullying app concept developed through a Boys & Girls Club program. The concept would let students anonymously report bullying and would include educational resources aimed at students who bully. Deputy Dana Fulkers nominated the team, the presentation said.

Private wealth advisor Aliyah Ewing of Windward Wealth Management — a presenting sponsor — praised the students’ use of technology for positive purposes and presented ceremonial awards. Commissioners and presenters encouraged the students to continue their work and posed for photos with awardees after the presentation.